Things That Bring Back Memories – “A Charlie Brown Christmas” #MondayMemories 8


Things That Bring Back Memories

charlieFor this week’s “Things That Bring Back Memories” post, I am going to pick something in the topic of “Television” and go with the show “A Charlie Brown Christmas“.  Since Christmas is only a few days away, I’m sure that you’ve seen this on the ABC station sometime this month.  I always set our DVR to record this, and even though I’m “old“, it’s one of my favorite shows during Christmas-time!!charlie

Do you have a television show that could be a part of the “Things That Brings Back Memories“?  What was it and what did it mean to you?

For those of you, who are either too young, or don’t remember, here’s a snippet of  “A Charlie Brown Christmas”:


I remember watching this show every year and even before I had learned about God and became a Christian, itcharlie really spoke to my heart about what they said Christmas was all about.  Now, being older, I’ve made sure to watch this every year as a family.  It’s great to see that this is one that will never go out of style and will always be in our home during the holidays.  Even if the television station decided to never play it again, the DVD is in our case and would be one that we would continue to watch for years!!

I just love the story behind this movie and how it helps you to remember that the good old aluminum Christmas tree isn’t truly what the holiday is about.  It’s a great way to get a conversation started with family or friends of any age.

These characters have been around forever and will always be a staple in our home for sure!


charlieMore Info on the Show:

Charlie Brown is depressed because Christmas lacks meaning to him, He sees Lucy and Snoopy obsessed with presents and decorations, Schroeder obsessed with the Christmas pageant, and everyone else focusing on Christmas Cards and letters for Santa, and all this causes him to question the true meaning of Christmas. Charlie has become disgusted by how commercial the Holiday has become. 

When Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees amongst everyone during the Christmas season, Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, he needs Linus’ help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

When the gang agrees to give Charlie the task of picking out a Christmas Tree for the pageant, he picks out a lonely, scrawny little tree that, along with a touching speech from Linus, helps everyone to ultimately understand the true meaning of the Holiday.


Did You Know?

  • Bill Melendez tried to talk Charles M. Schulz out of using Biblical references (especially Linus’s speech) in this special. Schulz reportedly won him over by saying, “If we don’t do it, who will?” As it turned out, Linus’ recitation was hailed as one of the most powerful moments in the highly acclaimed special.
  • Kathy Steinberg, who did the voice of Sally Brown, had not yet learned to read at the time of production, so she had to be fed her lines, often a word or syllable at a time, which explains the rather choppy delivery of the line “All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share”.
  • During his famed speech, Linus, who is well known to be dependent on his security blanket, actually lets go of it when he recites these words: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,” which is from Luke 2:10.
  • Production ended ten days before it premiered.

 

About The Writer:

charlieCharles Monroe Schulz (November 26, 1922 – February 12, 2000), nicknamed Sparky, was an American cartoonist, best known for the comic strip Peanuts (which featured the characters Snoopy and Charlie Brown, among others). He is widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists of all time, cited as a major influence by many later cartoonists. Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson wrote in 2007: “Peanuts pretty much defines the modern comic strip, so even now it’s hard to see it with fresh eyes. The clean, minimalist drawings, the sarcastic humor, the unflinching emotional honesty, the inner thoughts of a household pet, the serious treatment of children, the wild fantasies, the merchandising on an enormous scale—in countless ways, Schulz blazed the wide trail that most every cartoonist since has tried to follow.


 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Please be sure to leave a comment, if this show meant something to you, too.  Or to just let me know what you think of the story in this post! Thanks and have a great day!!

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
8 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Melissa Smith
Melissa Smith
9 years ago

If you don’t watch Charlie Brown on the holidays, it’s just not right! LOL This year i was smart though & recorded the Christmas special on the DVR, my kids have been watching it like crazy.

Linda Kinsman
9 years ago

We LOVE Charlie Brown and always watch Charlie and the whole gang each and every year. When I was little I wanted a Snoopy puppy and of course, Woodstock.

Esther
9 years ago

I actually have not seen this yet this year. I have been wanting to show it to my girls because I was wanting to have them watch a movie that would bring a little more meaning to Christmas this year. They have seen the other Charlie Brown movies and loved them. I only have Netflix so I am going to see if they have it on there.

tara pittman
9 years ago

My boys love this movie. We watch it every year!

Cassie
9 years ago

I also like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” but another movie that is always playing at my grandmas on Christmas day is “A Christmas Story.” Thank you for sharing!!

alison shaffer
9 years ago

Total favorite memory!!! and Rudolph too. It brings back good memories of childhood, waiting for Santa, the tree, and all the family gathered together.

MB
MB
9 years ago

I love this special so much! My mom always tells a story about how she put it on when I was only 11 months old and was transfixed by it. The message is pretty universal, whether you are Christian or not. Being a huge Snoopy and Peanuts fan, I make a point to watch this every year. I was disappointed when the first time it was shown on TV this year that they cut some of the scenes, but when they aired it again, it was intact. Pretty silly that I still have to watch it on TV when I… Read more »

Zipporah Sandler
9 years ago

Charlie Brown is as much a part of the holidays as is baking cookies with the family. No matter how old I get (and I am 60), I never tire of watching.