Think of your favorite Christmas movie. Ready? Go!
I’m not here to debate what movie popped into your head or judge you if it was a Hallmark one, but I’m hoping we can agree that A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic.
It’s a movie that makes me feel at home and floods me with nostalgia. For a select few people in the world, it can make you curious as to where that child actor who played Charlie Brown in a church play in Weston, West Virginia, went. He may not have gone on to Hollywood, but he might be the Middle School Director at The Ridge. It's me; I was Charlie Brown.
What I love about that story is just how relatable Charlie Brown is. There is all this excitement around Christmas, many fun things happening, and plans taking place, yet he feels depressed.
This time of year often brings overwhelming expectations regarding how excited or happy we should feel. If you find the courage to discuss these feelings, you might receive unhelpful advice, much like the advice Charlie Brown received from Lucy.
Lucy started trying to pinpoint Charlie Brown’s fears to help him. She tried listing all the phobias that he could have and eventually “diagnosed” him with pantophobia, the fear of everything. Her first attempt fell flat, and as Charlie went on to explain those depressive feelings a little further, she, upon hearing him out, gave him another solution: adding something extra to his plate by directing their Christmas play.
Lucy’s first response to Charlie’s depression was for him to look internally, and then when that didn’t work, she invited him to add something else to his plate. For those of you feeling fearful and depressed this holiday season, please do not take Lucy’s approach.
I’m not here to debate what movie popped into your head or judge you if it was a Hallmark one, but I’m hoping we can agree that A Charlie Brown Christmas is a classic.
It’s a movie that makes me feel at home and floods me with nostalgia. For a select few people in the world, it can make you curious as to where that child actor who played Charlie Brown in a church play in Weston, West Virginia, went. He may not have gone on to Hollywood, but he might be the Middle School Director at The Ridge. It's me; I was Charlie Brown.
What I love about that story is just how relatable Charlie Brown is. There is all this excitement around Christmas, many fun things happening, and plans taking place, yet he feels depressed.
This time of year often brings overwhelming expectations regarding how excited or happy we should feel. If you find the courage to discuss these feelings, you might receive unhelpful advice, much like the advice Charlie Brown received from Lucy.
Lucy started trying to pinpoint Charlie Brown’s fears to help him. She tried listing all the phobias that he could have and eventually “diagnosed” him with pantophobia, the fear of everything. Her first attempt fell flat, and as Charlie went on to explain those depressive feelings a little further, she, upon hearing him out, gave him another solution: adding something extra to his plate by directing their Christmas play.
Lucy’s first response to Charlie’s depression was for him to look internally, and then when that didn’t work, she invited him to add something else to his plate. For those of you feeling fearful and depressed this holiday season, please do not take Lucy’s approach.
| Wherever you are emotionally this Christmas season, run to Jesus. |
|
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
– Matthew 11:28-30
When I am at a low point, I often try to solve it on my own. I come up with a plan and run through scenarios, such as if this were different here, or if I were better in this area, then all would be well. This is where my ignorance and pride get in the way.
How quickly I forget I’m not in control, I can’t make everything happen, and as much as I try, maybe even with the best intentions, I can’t supply what I need or what others around me need. The only one who can do that is the God of the universe, who provides rest and peace for my soul.
When I acknowledge that, when I run to the Father, I can adequately be the husband, father, son, brother, uncle, middle school director, and friend I am called to be because of the one who gives me the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Wherever you are emotionally this Christmas season, run to Jesus, whether that be a good place or more of a rough one like Charlie Brown, lay it all at the feet of Jesus. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. In Him, you will find rest for your souls.
How quickly I forget I’m not in control, I can’t make everything happen, and as much as I try, maybe even with the best intentions, I can’t supply what I need or what others around me need. The only one who can do that is the God of the universe, who provides rest and peace for my soul.
When I acknowledge that, when I run to the Father, I can adequately be the husband, father, son, brother, uncle, middle school director, and friend I am called to be because of the one who gives me the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Wherever you are emotionally this Christmas season, run to Jesus, whether that be a good place or more of a rough one like Charlie Brown, lay it all at the feet of Jesus. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. In Him, you will find rest for your souls.
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