EDITOR'S NOTE: This editorial was written by our newspaper in 2014. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" was released in 1965.
And finally, the time of year has come when children glow with anticipation.
Their eyes sparkle from the reflection of the brightly lit trees and their smiles beam with happiness and joy.
Christmas is a beautiful time of year to be refreshed with youth and innocence. It's the time of year to spend with family, build memories and start tradition.
And perhaps no other holiday classic reminds us what Christmas is all about better than "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which is airing for the 50th season this year.
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The cartoon's many messages speak to all ages who need to remember, as Charlie Brown repeatedly wonders, what Christmas is all about.
The show opens with a depressed Charlie Brown, who says he doesn't know what's wrong with him.
"Christmas is coming and I'm not happy," he tells Linus. "I don't understand Christmas."
Charlie Brown seeks psychiatric help from Lucy, who then tells him to find involvement and invites him to be the director of a Christmas play.
After locating a weak, sad-looking Spruce tree for the play, Charlie Brown is laughed at and ridiculed by his peers for being a failure. With frustration, poor Charlie Brown can't figure out what Christmas is all about.
Then, in a monolog, Linus tells Charlie Brown the meaning of Christmas.
"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 unto 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 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, good will toward men."
With optimism, Charlie Brown attempts to decorate his little tree, and "show them it really will work" in the play.
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A failed attempt has Charlie Brown saddened again, but Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang share the Christmas spirit. They determine the tree needs "a little love" and spruce it up.
When Charlie Brown sees the beautifully decorated tree, his smile grows, and viewers know he learned what Christmas is all about.
It's a striking story that reminds us Christmas isn't about all of the lights, bells and presents, but it's about people in our lives and what they do for us. And, even 50 years after it was originally aired, the Charlie Brown Christmas story still sends a clear message this holiday is about Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate on Dec. 25.
Yes, Christmas is the time of year to be refreshed with youth and innocence, and all it takes is a group of cartoon children to remind us of that.
