FEATURE ARTICLE: Aluminum Christmas Trees, The Peanuts Gang, & Me

I am of the generation that was greatly formed by television. I fondly remember several special events where my family and I gathered around the technicolor glow of our vintage 1970s RCA Wooden TV Console that sat proudly on our burnt orange shag carpeting. I also remember that with this particular TV, I was the family’s remote control. Can anyone relate to that?

Of particular note in my carousel of memories was the annual Charlie Brown Christmas Special.

If you have lived anywhere except under a rock for the past 5 or 6 decades, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The key take-away from this Christmas classic, at least in my mind, centers around Charlie Brown’s choice of Christmas tree.

You know the one. That frail, humble, worst-on-the-whole-lot tree did a lot of metaphorical heavy lifting in this 30 minute cartoon. Perhaps most notably, it symbolized the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem and how that event is so often overshadowed by the focus on material gifts. There’s also the message that the tree's transformation from a bent-over, seemingly dead “stick” into a beautiful tree symbolizes Jesus' resurrection.

Even as a kid, these messages weren’t that hard to noodle out.

And that’s exactly where I left that particular tidbit of knowledge for many, many years – buried deep in my English-major brain. Every Christmas, when this particular special aired on television, that nugget would bubble up from deep storage, and I’d remember the profound simplicity of that message. Eventually, I would talk about it with my own children when they were old enough. Then, I’d forget about it for another 12 months. (I have only so much bandwidth…)

But recently, I been thinking a lot about the concept of humility. You see, I am not the most likely person to publish this Catholic-themed e-newsletter, and I am often… aware of my own theological shortcomings. Therefore, I have been feeling quite humble as of late.

And then I came across this idea online:

You know the one. That frail, humble, worst-on-the-whole-lot tree did a lot of metaphorical heavy lifting in this 30 minute cartoon. Perhaps most notably, it symbolized the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem and how that event is so often overshadowed by the focus on material gifts. There’s also the message that the tree's transformation from a bent-over, seemingly dead “stick” into a beautiful tree symbolizes Jesus' resurrection.

Even as a kid, these messages weren’t that hard to noodle out.

And that’s exactly where I left that particular tidbit of knowledge for many, many years – buried deep in my English-major brain. Every Christmas, when this particular special aired on television, that nugget would bubble up from deep storage, and I’d remember the profound simplicity of that message. Eventually, I would talk about it with my own children when they were old enough. Then, I’d forget about it for another 12 months. (I have only so much bandwidth…)

But recently, I been thinking a lot about the concept of humility. You see, I am not the most likely person to publish this Catholic-themed e-newsletter, and I am often… aware of my own theological shortcomings. Therefore, I have been feeling quite humble as of late.

And then I came across this idea online:

Humility—in relation to gifts— means recognizing that any talents or abilities we possess are given by God and should be used to serve others and bring glory to Him, rather than seeking personal recognition or pride in our own achievements.

Hmmm. Good point/reminder.

But, how does this all relate back to Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree?

Well, here it is.

In my mind, I equate that weak, sickly tree with my own theological understanding and insights. I see all these other people out there with their shiny aluminum Christmas trees (more theological wisdom than I have), and I am embarrassed and ashamed. I have nothing of value to offer anyone else. My tree sucks. What business do i have publishing this religious newsletter?

Dedicated readers of Life’s Joyful Mystery might remember that I have previously stated that I like to write. I’m pretty good at it. Writing is one of my “charisms”.

And, if I believe that God gave me this gift of writing (which I do!), then I should really use it for His glory, even if I’m not sure myself if the product of it is any good.

So, here it is: this is my humble Christmas gift to you.

In my eyes, this article - this whole newsletter - looks like a wimpy little tree with all the needles falling off of it.

But, God, I think, sees something different than I do, and that, I believe, is a good enough Christmas present for the world.

So, I want to challenge you, this Christmas season, to give the people in your life gifts that you feel represent YOUR wimpy, little tree with needles falling off of it. Doing so may make you feel vulnerable and uncomfortable. Scared, even.

But, I encourage you to trust that the Lord will turn your little Charlie Brown Christmas tree into something wonderous that brings glory to Him.

Merry Christmas!

James Berigan