A few years ago I started a new tradition. Of course, I didn't know it would become a tradition at the time. I've started collecting Christmas-themed jigsaw puzzles, and each Advent I spend the season putting one together. The puzzle pieces sit on a table in the family room opposite where the tree is lit up. As I'm about my business on any given day, whenever I pass through the room, I stop and put a few pieces in place.
The very first puzzle I bought was "A Peanuts Christmas" by Springbok. Funny that, because as a child I never really cared for the Charlie Brown Christmas special. We'd watch it every year, but I'd generally feel sad for Charlie Brown, who seemed so alone with his pathetic little tree.
Years later I was reminded of something I had forgotten about that show! The story doesn't end with Charlie staying sad. Do you remember the part when Charlie Brown asks so poignantly, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"
Linus, so sweetly and confidently, takes center stage and begins to recite those old familiar words -- the account taken from the beautiful old King James rendition. "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...." (click here for more by Linus)
For me, that's Christmas. I do all the decorating, baking, partying, singing, wrapping presents, eating and visiting as a joyous celebration to honour the Child, Emmanuel, God with Us. Linus, thanks for the sweet reminder of what Christmas is about for me.
Wishing you thoughts for great joy,
Brenda
xox
I love A Peanut's Christmas! The kids and I still watch it on TV together and they are 27 and 25! I have always enjoyed Linus' rendition when Charlie Brown asks his infamous question!! Linus is basically the whole show as far as I'm concerned!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun at your tea tomorrow-sounds great!
Hi Sherri, How nice to hear from you. I watch it too, and I'm double your kids' age....and now I really enjoy it. You know what, Linus is the show, I agree!
ReplyDeleteI'm making a chocolate chip pumpkin bread for tomorrow -- from one of our Victoria magazines -- December 2000, p 108. If it turns out, I'll post pictures. Best be off!
i love puzzles, my grandmother and I used to put one together everytime I visited her. She always had time for me. Love the charlie brown christmas special too.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Christmas is all about what Linus recites, so when and why did it become all of the other stuff: baking, buying, wrapping, decorating, debt, exhaustion...? Perhaps this is the year to take a more sane approach to the bedlam I have allowed it to become. Thank God for favoring us with the opportunity. And I really mean it!
ReplyDeleteMy mother used that little Linus speech on a few Christmas Eve's when the family gets together and reads the account of the Christ child's birth. And, interestingly, it was always my tradition to do a puzzle during the week between Christmas and New Year's! Such fun memories.
ReplyDeleteCindy
I love Charlie Brown. What a great puzzle. I have a Charles Wysoki Christmas puzzle I need to work on this year. We seem to like the same Christmas movies. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Thank you for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteI love your tradition of buying a jigsaw puzzle each year
Victoria xx
What a treat to find all your wonderful comments today!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we enjoy puzzles because there's a certain innocence to them.... for a few moments you forget all about whatever else is going on as you concentrate on finding the next puzzle piece.
I'll be thinking about you all when I'm watching the video and putting together my puzzle!
Blessings!