www.olivetree.com/votd/index.php

”And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 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, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, According to thy word: Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭29‬, ‭31‬-‭52‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.2.1-52.KJV

”But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.1.20.KJV

A Charlie Brown Christmas 

I’ve been watching a lot of Christmas movies this season. It always helps me get in the Christmas spirit. One of my favorite movies is A Charlie Brown Christmas. This season there was talk of taking this movie off the market (streaming and network showings). Too religious, they said. Too “old school”, they said. But this isn’t the first time this classic has met with opposition. Before it ever aired, the network protested. Their main complaint? 

“You can’t read from the Bible on network television!”

It was 1965 and Peanuts had been a favorite newspaper comic strip for 15 years. Charles Shultz, its creator, had done a short film with animator Bill Melendez and producer Lee Mendelson, but he had never considered making a TV movie for Christmas; that is, until the producer called Schultz and said that an advertising agent for the Coca-Cola Company had suggested they create one. Within a few days, the producer and creator had written an outline for a script. It included three main chapters, 1) a sad Christmas tree, 2) a school play, and 3) ice skating. 

The 25-minute animated film budget was around $150,000, which even in the 1960s was quite low. The creative team of Schultz, Mendelson, and Melendez pressed on, however, until they had a full production to present to the TV network, CBS. 

The main complaint that the TV execs had against the film was the recitation by Linus straight out of the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. CBS did not believe that a biblical reference, much less a direct quote from the King James version of the Bible, was appropriate for their audience. Charles Schultz, however, begged to differ. He is quoted as saying, “If we don’t tell the true meaning of Christmas, who will?” Schultz refused to delete the scene or the scene where the children sing the religious carol, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” 

But the biblical reference wasn’t the only thing the network didn’t like. They also didn’t like that real children, not adult industry professionals, were used to record the voices on the film. (In fact, some of the children were so young that they couldn’t read their lines and had to be fed them by the producer one sentence at a time.) 

Another thing that did not ring true with the CBS executives was the music. Jazz musician and composer, Vince Guaraldi, had already written a song called “Linus and Lucy” for a documentary about Peanuts that never aired. The creative team called Guaraldi and asked him if they could use the song on the Christmas special. The composer also wrote another song for the film, “Christmastime Is Here.” CBS thought the songs, especially the theme song, was too abstract and offbeat for a cartoon. 

Under pressure by the sponsor Coca-Cola, the network finally conceded. A Charlie Brown Christmas would be aired on a Thursday night, December 9, 1965. More than 15 million TV viewers saw the show and the ratings for the show was at number two just behind Bonanza.

The film has had some changes over the years. One is that the Coca-Cola symbols are not shown on the present version since the soft drink company no longer sponsors it. A few more edits have been made, too. But only minor ones. 

The original animation, which many thought was crude, is exactly as it first appeared in 1965. It has now been dubbed “classic” by animators and producers since. 

At Christmastime, we focus on those who believed that the Infant in Bethlehem was the Messiah: Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Wise Men. But what about those who didn’t believe? Some just couldn’t see the potential lying in a manger or later walking the earth. 

Since Charles Schultz was a believer, he may have resonated a little with Jesus as His skeptics passed Him over. Network naysayers were just as blind as stubborn Pharisees to the treasure that was right in front of them. 

An angel spoke to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)