Tuesday, November 28, 2006

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Tonight CBS will air the holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. For more than 40 years this cartoon piece has graced the television airways. In my humble opinion it is unmatched in storyline, character, music, and message. Who can forget Linus' recitation of Luke 2:8-14? Undoubtedly, the best scene regularly scheduled to air on television every year.
Today's generation is treated to the most advanced animation technology. Yet, none has surpassed or even matched the simplicity and clarity of Charles Schulz's, A Charlie Brown Christmas. One of the great aspects of this production is the music that accompanied it. Written by little known jazz musician Vince Guaraldi (unknown to everyone except perhaps jazztheo :-) , the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas was controversial at the time, but is now classic and unforgettable.
This morning NPR did a piece on the airing of A Charlie Brown Christmas. They particularly focused on Guaraldi and his contribution. It is a good piece and well worth your attention today. But greater still is the airing of this classic cartoon tonight, and the irrepressible answer Linus offers to Charlie Brown's question, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

5 comments:

FellowElder said...

This is the good stuff. But the next time we're together, we're going to have to talk jazz. I'ma have to not only bring you up to speed on Guaraldi, but some other better know, lesser-knowns that might interest you. And perhaps you can hip to some of that classical stuff you like. :-)

Grace and peace,
Thabiti

Anonymous said...

Just before watching charlie brown at work, I was bombarded by false doctrine by two different types of medium. Bill O'reily labeled Jesus a philosopher and gave that as the reason we celebrate Christmas as a national holiday. On the radio, Michael Savage labeled anti-evolutionist Christians as the Jihadists "throwbacks" of America bent toward holding America back in the middle ages. Then, I come to Charlie Brown preaching the gospel to millions of Americans in a very suddle but powerful manner in contrast to the others -- Amazing!

ajcarter said...

Amen! The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men!

Anonymous said...

I actually heard the report on Morning Edition on Tuesday, but I totally forgot to watch Charlie Brown. As a modern Puritan, I have ceased to celebrate Christmas, but I do appreciate the gospel in a Charlie Brown Christmas.

Eric M Washington

Nappily Evah Aftah said...

Naw...there are some more of us out here who know who "Vince" is. "The Great Pumpkin Waltz" is one of my jazz favorites.

I'm 43 years old, and I watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year. Faithfully.