“…But perfect love drives out fear…”  (1 John 4:18, New International Version).

My wife Laurie and I relaxed on the couch with our grandson James to watch the classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas (Dir. Bill Melendez. Prod. Lee Mendelson. By Charles M. Schulz. CBS Television Network, 1965.) I wondered if the fifty-year-old animation could hold James’s 21st century interest.  As he cuddled under a blanket in the arms and lap of his Gran, he was mesmerized as Charlie Brown fought to overcome the commercialism of Christmas. Imagine how Charles Schulz might react to the selling of Christmas today!

I watched with special curiosity after reading a fascinating observation by Jason Soroski. Mr. Soroski noticed that Linus dropped his blanket at a very poignant moment in the story. (Soroski, Jason. “Just Drop the Blanket: The Moment You Never Noticed in A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Web log post. The Way I See It. Also at Crosswalk.com, 14 Dec. 2015. Web.)

During his famous monologue on stage, Linus quotes Luke 2 to explain the meaning of Christmas: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:8-10, King James Version). Laurie and I smiled with contentment as James listened so intently to the Christ story.

Then, I saw what Mr. Soroski had pointed out. As soon as Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops the blanket! I have watched that scene for half a century. I had never noticed that Linus apparently finds courage to let go of his security blanket when he shares the angel’s words, “Fear not.” Whatever dependence Linus had on the blanket, the words of the angel gave Linus courage to face life without it.

I don’t know if Schulz intended this message, but I received the reminder that the arrival of the Christ Child removes our fears.

As Laurie held James tightly, cuddling his head in her cheek, we watched as Charlie Brown walked away with his scorned tree. Even at the young age of two, James seemed to feel sorry for that little tree.

I wasn’t worried about Charlie Brown or his tree, because I knew that it was all going to end in a joyful celebration of Christmas. But I was worried about Linus. Why did he pick up his blanket as soon as he was done reciting the Bible passage? Did he need his reassuring prop because his momentary courage of faith faded with the last line of his monologue?

When Linus retrieved his blanket, he looked like so many people I have met along the way. He looked like worshipers who find hope to face life during worship; but when the benediction is spoken, the same doubts invade their souls that they had before they entered the sanctuary.

Linus resembled the faithful who find peace when reading a passage of Scripture or hearing a stirring song; but as soon as the experience passes, they struggle with the same demons as before.

Linus looked like the believers who joyfully celebrate Christ when around others; but when alone in the house, His joy is nowhere.

Why was Linus’s ability to face life without the blanket so fleeting? Why couldn’t he maintain the angelic encouragement, “Fear not”?

Good news! Linus actually does let go of the blanket again. Remember when? As Linus looks at the sad little tree that others had rejected, he says: “Maybe it just needs a little love.” With those words, he gently wraps the base of Charlie Brown’s tree with his blanket. His blanket begins the transformation of the small evergreen branch into a full-blown Christmas tree.

I don’t know if it were planned by Charles Schulz fifty years ago, but the message I received that night with my wife and grandson was this: Love conquers fear. There are many tumultuous reasons in this world to hold onto our blankets tightly. Given the violence and uncertainty all around us, fear is our natural reaction. We look for comfort and assurance in different ways…Linus held a blanket.

Linus teaches us that we can talk about the birth of Jesus. We can sing carols about Him. We can decorate our homes (and even dog houses) all we want. But only when we learn to love does fear really disappear.

I looked over at my wife, cradling our grandson. She whispered to me, “How can we love something this much?” In that moment, nothing on the outside mattered for either of us. Love conquers all fear.

And then, James dropped his blanket on the floor.

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