Column by Jonathan Nagy
In the 1965 classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown finds himself fed up with the commercialism of Christmas and searches for the true meaning. He says to his friend Linus, “I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.” Linus replies, “Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy’s right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest.”
The season of Advent is about preparation, but what is everyone preparing for? For most, it would be for Christmas celebrations. I have heard many people say, “Every Christmas seems to get busier and busier and even more stressful.” Are we stressing for the right reasons over the right details? We become a bunch of Martha’s, stressing over every little detail, instead of become Mary’s, and enjoying the season. Sure, Martha had Jesus at the center of her stressing, but was she stressing because of Him or because of all the details around Him? In a sense, both Martha and Charlie Brown were looking at the same thing.
Christmas did not feel right to Charlie, and many can share in that sentiment. At one point or another, most people can share in that feeling, which often turns into frustration. Early on in the movie, Charlie said, “I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.” At the apex of his frustration, Charlie exclaims at the Christmas pageant, “Can anyone tell me what Christmas is all about!?” He had enough and was not finding the answers for which he was searching.
At that moment, Linus, meekly and mildly, takes center stage and recites the story of the shepherds and angels in the fields from Luke’s Gospel. He concludes by saying, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Just like our Savior, who came in the meekest and mildest ways, the answer to Charlie Brown’s question in the movie came from the meekest and mildest of the entire Peanuts gang. It was at that point that the meaning started to become clear not just for Charlie, but for everyone, and their focus began to shift.
Our focus also needs to shift, and not just for one day. Yes, Christmas Day is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, but the combined seasons of Advent and Christmas mean so much more. If Christmas is to have true meaning, it must begin and end with Jesus. Many have and will continue to accomplish that for one day a year, but again, that line of thought is lacking.
Jesus becomes real and relatable to all of us at Christmas. At one point, we were all helpless newborns, just like the Christ child. We can relate to the human wants and needs that He experienced. We remember the care that our parents had for us at young ages, and how we grew to be the people we are. We give and receive gifts, remembering Him as our greatest gift. The visuals of the nativity scenes, beautifully decorated churches and houses, and carols of great joy make an event that occurred over 2000 years ago feel new, fresh, and alive for us. It is wonderful that people experience the celebration in the way that they do, but just like the Christmas tree, many kick those feelings to the curb as soon as the season ends, and oftentimes even earlier.
The real challenge is, how can Jesus be real to us every day, and not just on Christmas Day?
For Jesus to become real, we must know Him. A woman named Mary, who runs the website blessedcatholicmom.com wrote, “You don’t forget a best friend, yet you might not remember next week the 50 people you saw at the store today. When someone is important to you and you love them, you make the time to have a relationship with them. You want to spend time with them.” If we make it a point to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, He will be real to us every day of our lives, just like those we keep close to us. Make time for Jesus in prayer, reflection, and contemplation. Make Him part of your decisions and actions. He is your eternal and ultimate best friend. The only gifts He wants from you are your time and your love.
Another important way to make Jesus become real every day is in the Eucharist. Literally translated, Christmas means, “The Mass of the Christ.” In essence, we celebrate both Christmas and Easter every time we attend Mass. We celebrate His birth and life, honor His sacrifice, and look forward to His return. When we recognize the True Presence in the Eucharist, Jesus becomes very real to us.
I can personally relate to this notion. In my younger days, I used to get nervous playing the organ at Mass because of the people in the pews. I have since gotten over that, but I’ll never forget a feeling and sense I had a few months back. As I said a prayer and sat down at the organ, I glanced at the tabernacle in the center of the Basilica. All of a sudden, a sense of nervousness overtook me. At that moment, it became very real to me that I was playing music in honor of and in the presence of Jesus Christ. Temporarily frozen, I became overwhelmed with emotions and found it difficult to put my fingers on the keys. In what felt like an eternity but in reality, was a mere few seconds, I began to play the hymn, and the peace and comfort of Jesus overcame me. I try to recreate that every time I play the organ at Mass. He is truly present, and I am privileged to be able to honor Him the way that I do.
Another way to have Jesus become real every day is to strive to become more like Him. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus was questioned on what was the greatest commandment. He knew the Pharisees were trying to test Him. He responded, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Simple thoughts, but difficult assignments. God always comes first. This is not even something that is up for debate. Following the commands of the Lord may not always be the popular or most well-received approach, but it is one that puts us on the right path to Heaven. However, as Jesus said, it is only half of the equation. He does not say, ‘Love only the people you like.’ He does not say, ‘Just be nice to everyone only at Christmas.’ His command to “Love your neighbor” applies to everyone, every day. Love can mean many different things though. My often quoted
favorite Bible verse, Micah 6:8, reads, “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Each of those requirements are love. Love your neighbor and help everyone get to Heaven. When Charlie Brown selected the scrawniest Christmas tree, his friends all teased him. Linus, however, stated, “I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.” Even though he was talking about a tree, Linus is right. All anyone needs is a little love.
I encourage everyone to have your Christmas celebrations. Attend your favorite Christmas Mass, gather with family and friends, have a big feast, share presents with others and enjoy their presence. As the Peanuts crew sang at the end of the movie, “Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies!” It is truly a time to celebrate the greatest gift ever given but also remembering that we need to remember that gift daily. Allow Jesus to enter your heart and become real for you today and every day of your life.
I wish everyone a very blessed Christmas. May Jesus Christ touch each of your hearts in a meaningful way, and may you share that feeling with others!
Jonathan Nagy, M.Ed., is the Dean of Students, Director of Alumni Relations, and Social Studies teacher at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Ebensburg. He is also the Music Director at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel in Loretto.
