If you need a quick picker-upper, skip ahead to track seven on that CD, the inspired instrumental Skating. Scroll down and click the “listen” links to hear the infectious syncopated 3/4. The ride cymbal and the descending piano arpeggios are the perfect suggestion of just a little hustle and bustle in the season’s first snowfall.
What, because he calmly recited a few Bible verses? Because he answered Charlie Brown’s question about the meaning of Christmas?
Sheesh. The Christian-bashing around here never ceases to amaze me. Even decades-old cartoon characters are getting flamed!
I just want to chime in and defend Vince Guaraldi. I think “Christmas Time Is Here” (the instrumental–I don’t particularly care for the vocal version) is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. It’s a melancholy piece, but that just works that much better for the story, given the combination of Charlie Brown’s angst and the nostalgia that always lurks within everything Christmas related.
And I don’t think Linus was being a pompous asshole–he was just quoting Matthew, and answering Charlie Brown’s question. It’s the climax of the story; give the kid a break.
THANK YOU!! I’ve missed that commercial since moving to TX. Now I can show my friends what the heck I’m talking about.
Actually Linus was quoting Luke.
I asked a professional musician friend of mine about the music and he told me how much he loved it. For many of the same reasons listed above. He said it’s one of the few pieces of Christmas music he can stomach.
Ah, but remember, those of us little kids who aren’t Christians could enjoy the special right up till that point, where Linus gets on his high horse and proves himself superior to all the other Peanuts kids. Linus always was a bit of a pompous know-it-all, never knew what Sally saw in him.
Then we’d skulk away and play with our dreidels.
But if Linus had left out the New Testament reading, he wouldn’t have been true to his character. Peanuts always had overt religious references. However, they tended not to be as hamfisted as Johnny Hart’s in “B.C.”
a) I am being silly and sarcastic and over-thinking Linus’ character, of course. On purpose.
but,
b) Think of all the little non-Christian kids who enjoyed the special right up to the “oh, you’re not part of this, go away” moment. I remember feeling very embarrassed at that point, like I wasn’t supposed to be watching.
But Schulz wanted you to be a part of it.
And this was a complete shock coming from a Christmas special? With “Christmas” in the title? Back when Christmas was widely considered a Christian holiday? It’s not like the show was called “The Charlie Brown All-Inclusive, Religiously Nonpartisan Holiday Special” and they stuck on a shocking, pro-Christian twist at the end.
Similarly, if the show were called “Happy Hannukah, Charlie Brown!” I can’t imagine watching it until the end and then saying, “What’s with all the Jewish stuff? Linus explaining the menorah? What a self-righteous asshole!”
Just seems a little harsh on the poor kid, that’s all.
Just trying to give you an idea of how completely disenfranchised non-Christians feel for the entire month of December. Especially kids. Especially back in the 1960s.
Oh, I don’t know – I think it’d be nice to see A Charlie Brown Christmahanukwanzakah.
Especially with the hot naked chick wearing the giant cellphone.
I don’t think that a Christian can understand or contemplate the feeling.
I recently nixed Peanuts for my 4 year old.
We had bought her a DVD and I couldn’t believe the way the characters talked to Charlie Brown during the whole thing. Sure, all friends participate in good-natured ribbing but this went over the top. I don’t want her getting the idea that it’s okay to talk to a friend like that.
I was always quite impressed with the way Schulz was consistently able to address religious subject matter without becoming strident and overbearing, unlike certain other cartoonists I could mention. For what it’s worth, I interpreted Linus’ quotation not as an intentionally specific endorsement of Christianity, but rather as an extension of the special’s general theme promoting the importance of the holiday spirit over the commercial trappings.
The show up to that point revolved primarily around Charlie Brown’s tribulations in attempting to direct a Nativity play, and the abuse he recieves from his peers as a result. By quoting the line about peace on Earth and goodwill toward men, Linus was emphasizing the quality most important to the season, which the rest of the gang had failed to exhibit.
That’s why the final act depicts the gang going out to gut Snoopy’s award-winning ultra-commercial Christmas display, so that they can decorate Charlie Brown’s little tree as a gesture of friendship. And they never do get around to actually performing the Christmas play, which I think would probably have been the centerpiece if the show’s intent was to actively promote the Christian faith.
That’s how I always read the show, anyway. The issue of whether it’s moral to vandalize a dog’s home to acquire Christmas ornaments is, sadly, not definitively addressed.
Did you ever notice that the first time Lucy asks Schoeder to play "Jingle Bells,’ he does a very complicated classical style song. The second time he plays an organ version of it. The third time, when he plunks it out with one finger, it makes a simple, toy piano type song and Lucy screams “THAT’S IT.”
That sums up the true meaning of the holiday better than Linus.
Right. Schroeder was playing Jingle Bells JUST LIKE one of the shepherds did the night Jesus was born. 
She didn’t like it at the time either. Is this not allowed?
Well, that’s refreshing.
I love Peanuts, but I’d rather hear your reaction than the typical “Charlie Brown (sic) always has such wonderful gentle humor - times have sure changed,” from those who just don’t get the strip but pretend to.
For some reason you changed subject to talk about the legumes, yes?
–Cliffy