December 15th, 2013
A Holiday Tradition
by Brian Walker, Greg Walker and Chance Browne
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Christmas isn’t all about shopping. There are many other activities that occupy families during the holidays, like finding the perfect tree and decorating it.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which first aired on CBS in 1965, has a wonderful take on this annual tradition. My favorite part is when, after Charlie Brown returns with a scrawny tree for the Christmas pageant, Linus steps forward on the stage and recites the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 through 14.
Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 1965.
“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 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”
Linus concludes his recitation with the memorable line, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
This inspired us to do the following Hi and Lois Sunday page in 2000.
Hi and Lois Sunday page, December 17, 2000.
We dedicated this episode to Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, known to his friends and fellow cartoonists as “Sparky” and donated the original artwork to the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California. For more information about this institution go to:
It’s hard to believe, but there are only eleven more days until Christmas! We will post a few more holiday-themed Hi and Lois strips here before then, so stay tooned.
– Brian Walker
