Why Charles Schulz Fought for Faith in A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
By Movieguide® Contributor
PEANUTS creator Charles Schulz had a strong Christian faith, something he did not shy away from sharing through A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS.
“Schultz had a biblical faith that was maybe more nuanced than some of the denominational dogma that some of his peers would have, but it was a personal, biblical faith that he would talk to close confidants about over the years and include in his strips, even if it was a little bit more nuanced and broad than some of the traditional teachings,” Dr. Stephen Lind, the author of a book explores Schulz faith, told CBN.
“Some have tried to sanctify him, and some have tried to vilify him, even accusing him of some heretical beliefs,” added Paul Batura. “I think the reality is he was somewhere in the middle, and I say that because look at the fruit of his work; look at what he produced, and look at what we still enjoy today.”
Among Schulz’s most beloved works is A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, which includes a reading from the Gospel of Luke that explains that Jesus is the Savior of the world. Schulz insisted on including this overt religious explanation of the true meaning of Christmas despite major pushback from others working on the project.
“There were actually quite a few things in the special that the executives and some of his creative partners were not too sure about, from the jazz music to the children voice actors and including the religious reference, that got quite a bit of pushback,” Lind explained.
Producer Lee Mendelson revealed what that conversation between him, Schulz and animator Bill Melendez looked like.
“I said, ‘Sparky, this is religion. It just doesn’t go in a cartoon,’” he said, using Schulz’s nickname. “He looked at me very coldly and said, ‘Bill, if we don’t do it, who will? We can do it.’ He was right. That’s been the most commented-on little sequences of that show – Linus telling the true meaning of Christmas.”
He told Huff Post, “When [Schulz] said, ‘You know, we’re going to have Linus read from the Bible,’ Bill and I looked at each other and said, ‘Uh oh, that doesn’t sound very good.’ But then Schulz said, ‘Look, if we’re going to do this, we should talk about what Christmas is all about, not just do a cartoon with no particular point of view.’”
Despite what the executives believed, the inclusion of religion was well-received and remains one of the most iconic parts of the special. The reading of Luke at the end of the story helps refocus viewers on the true meaning of Christmas.
“I think people look forward to it every year; I think it centers people,” Batura said. “You know our first impressions make a big impression, and for most of us, we saw A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS when we were three, four, five years old, and that sticks with us.”
“And we’re reminded when we hear that voice when we hear the reading of the Gospel of Luke we’re reminded why we celebrate Christmas. And so I think it has had a very much net positive impact on the world,” he continued.
Schulz’s bold decisions on multiple fronts led to the creation of one of the most enduring pieces of Christmas media ever created. Thank God Schultz was a strong Christian unafraid to share his faith.
“I think Schulz would want us to judge his legacy and the person that he is, based on the material that he put out there,” said Regent University’s Dean of Divinity Dr. Corne Bekker. “And when we look at the Christmas special, what an extraordinary legacy of not only faith but also the meaning of community.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Holidays continue to bring out some of the best on television. On November 30, ABC7 Chicago announces “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown” on ABC television. ABC7 also shares a Charlie Brown video report and announcement. This 50th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is celebrated first with a retrospective followed by the animated classic movie. This report reveals why Craig Schulz, original creator Charles Schulz’s son, thinks interest in his father’s “Peanuts” has endured for so long.
“I think the themes and the emotions, you know, we all feel those things,” said Schulz. “We’re all there when Charlie Brown loses. We all lose a lot more in life than we ever win, so I think we can really relate to them, and I think we all have a lot of Charlie Brown in us. I know I do.”
Originally, television executives didn’t know what to think of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as they were first shocked over the jazz music selection in a children’s cartoon, and many also thought the show was too slow. Lee Mendelson, who produced all the Charlie Brown specials, however, knew Charlie Brown and “The Peanuts” always stood a strong chance.
On November 30, USA Today reports, “50 years in, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ remains timeless.” Patrick Ryan states. “For many of us, ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ is as synonymous with the holidays as ice skating, school pageants and finding the perfect tree. It’s a gift that TV viewers have been unwrapping since Dec. 9th, 1965, when the animated special premiered.”
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