Christmas 2025 is now in the history book for those who have had their family gatherings, dinners and parties. For many families, Christmas gatherings often extend far into January. This means we are still celebrating the Christmas season. It also means we are listening to Christmas music and often watching Christmas movies.
Many of us have a favorite Christmas movie. Some try to rewatch “Miracle on 34th Street” or perhaps “It’s A Wonderful Life”, or maybe it’s “A Christmas Story”. Another favorite that comes to mind is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “White Christmas”. These five are the first ones that pop into my mind and each one has a special message of friendship, kindness and hope. The newest of these is “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and that I want to focus on for now.
We love watching Snoopy’s antics and poor Charlie Brown trying to get his uncooperative friends to help him find the perfect Christmas tree. For many the favorite part that always makes people smile is the end, when Charlie Brown’s scraggly little tree is transformed into a beautiful decoration thanks to a little TLC and the magic of the season.
Do you sometimes feel like Charlie Brown because as hard as you try to do things just right, you feel you always fall short? This feeling of inadequacy often is strongest around the holidays. Ever feel like that scraggly little tree—that despite our best efforts, we can’t measure up. For better or worse we want everything to go off without a hitch. Especially if children are involved. We want to make their days happy with candy and warm cookies and lots of love and hugs.
But life gets in the way. Maybe snow comes as sleet or like this year that was warm outside like a spring day. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in planning celebrations we don’t have time to enjoy and appreciate this special time of year.
This is when you might need to think about that scraggly little tree. It wasn’t special. It wasn’t full and lush. It was hardly more than a twig. Even when Charlie tried to decorate it, it looked sad and weak. A pathetic holiday decoration, for sure. It wasn’t until his friends rallied around him and helped decorate the tree—lending an extra measure of Christmas spirit—that it became something beautiful.
When you think of Charlie Brown’s little tree, you might make yourself a special promise. Try to make the holiday season as magical as possible, but try to stress less, and maybe do less—enjoy time with your loved ones more. After all, that is where the real magic of the season comes from.
Happy New Year!!
