A message from Linus

John Vandervelde - Program Director 

Maybe, like me, some of you caught the Charlie Brown Christmas movie
on ABC last night.  I'm quite familiar with the movie--it is one of my
wife's favorites.  In high school she played Lucy in her school's
rendition of the play.  I often get to tease her about that.  If you
know Kari at all, you know she is the complete opposite of Lucy. 

Last
night as I watched the movie with my boys I was moved by Linus Van
Pelt's recitation of Luke 2:8-14.  There it was, the Gospel message
right there on prime-time television.  My favorite part is when Linus,
after quoting the Scripture, walks off stage, dragging his blanket, and
says, "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." 

The verse from Luke 2 that grabbed my attention last night as I
listened to Linus was verse 14, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace to men on whom His favor rests."  Have you ever really thought
about how powerful that is?  Jesus coming to earth was all about
bringing peace--peace to us, on whom God has favor.  God favors us, God
loves us, God wants peace for us.  When we think about the trials and
hardships of our lives and in this world, remember that God's mission
and God's Kingdom is all about bringing peace and goodwill to people
and to all creation.

That is what Christmas is all about!  Let's let the world know!