Linus loves his blanket, carries it everywhere, and is not embarrassed by it. He cannot survive without it and really suffers when it is being washed. However, in strips from the later years, Linus seems to want to get rid of it, even though he knows he is a mess without it.
In A Charlie Brown Christmas, there is one moment in this show that went seemingly unnoticed for 51 years.
When Linus is asked the meaning of Christmas, he memorized and recited Luke 2: 8-14.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid.' I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
But while Linus is reciting these verses, there is one important thing we might not have notice then. Right in the middle of speaking, Linus drops the blanket.
I believe that this is intentional and more profound, the specific moment he drops it is when he utters the words, “fear not.”
Looking at that scene, it is pretty clear what Charles Schultz was saying, and it’s so simple it’s brilliant.
The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears.
The birth of Jesus frees us from the habits we are unable (or unwilling) to break ourselves.
The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to Jesus instead.
The world of 2021 can be a scary place. And most of us find ourselves grasping to something temporal for security, whatever that thing may be. Essentially, 2021 is a world in which it is very difficult for us to “fear not.”
But in the midst of our fear and insecurity, this simple “drop the blanket” moment can be an inspiration for us to seek true peace and true security in the one place it has always been and can always still be found, into the hands of Jesus.
However, after this blanket-dropping recitation of Scripture given by Linus in response to Charlie Brown’s quest for meaning, he picks the blanket back up.
Why would Linus pick that old security blanket up after so boldly proclaiming an end to fear? Why does he leave the stage with that security blanket still in his hand?
We first must admit that we all carry that same blanket.
Just like Linus, we may stand tall in a moment of faith, but out of habit, we reach down and pick that thing right back up. Faith, while powerful, is also delicate.
Linus clearly knows the truth, and clearly proclaims the truth. The knowledge is there and the wisdom is there and the passion is there. So why does he pick it back up?
It is because we all do the same thing. We gaze into our mirror in the morning to find that tattered old blanket draped over our shoulder yet again. And we realize that we have become so used to it being there that we hardly even noticed it.
But that is not where this blanket story ends.
The show ends with the Peanuts gang not just singing, but clearly and unquestionably singing in worship. The obvious song choice here could have been “O Christmas Tree,” the notes of which have already been playing gently in the background. But the focus is no longer the tree. The focus has become bigger than the tree. The focus is Jesus.
With this new focus, the kids sing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the Newborn King,” and what we are now witnessing is essentially an impromptu worship service.
But before any of this happens, Linus parts with that blanket yet again, and lays it down for good at the base of that beautiful Christmas tree, just as we should strive to not just lay our blanket down just anywhere, but leave it forever behind us at the foot of that cross, for our own good and the good of others.
It is here at the end of the show that Linus lays that blanket down yet again, and this time? He doesn’t look back.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who carry our blankets of fear and insecurity, draped in pride and selfishness. Give us Your gift of humility to drop the negative attitudes and never look back.
