A Monday Memory....

FIFTY years ago....

Photo: United Feature Syndicate

A Charlie Brown Christmas
 Oh yes, I can still recall the first time I watched this Christmas classic, on a black and white television set in my parents living room.  

I thought it was one of the sweetest, most wonderful shows I had ever seen. I still do.

"Back in the day", as they say, if you didn't watch a particular program like this when it aired, 

you missed it until it came around again in a year's time.
No recording it.  No DVD.  No DVR. No anything.

Thanks to technology, you can watch this wonderful show anytime, anywhere.
There is also an app: "A Charlie Brown Christmas - A Peanuts Holiday Classic Interactive Pop-up Book for All Ages By Loud Crow Interactive Inc. "       $5.99 in iTunes
My granddaughters absolutely love the one on my iPad!

It is written that Charles Schultz's main goal in writing this program 

was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

An article by Patrick Ryan in USA TODAY November 30, 2015, describes the work of the collaborators of this special this way:

"Linus' recitation of the birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke was Schulz's idea.'If we're going to do a Christmas special, we've really got to do it the right way and talk about what Christmas is all about,' " Mendelson says. "Bill and I looked at each other, and I said, 'There's never been any animation that I know of from the Bible. It's kind of risky.' 

Then Mr. Schulz said, 'Well, if we don't do it, who will?' "

I for one am very glad it was written exactly as it is.

Following Linus' recitation, Charlie Brown states firmly 

"I won't let all this commercialism ruin my Christmas."

I feel the same way, Chuck.  The same way.

Despite the passage of fifty years, sadly some things haven't changed I suppose.

A special anniversary program airs at 8pm est tonight on ABC, followed by the show at 9.