The Gospel According To Peanuts
Oh Christmas Tree
It’s not so much what happens to us that makes the difference – it’s how we choose to look at it. If we really believe God is working in our lives and that we’re living for eternity, it changes how we see all things. In this series, we’ll look at how to frame our past, present, and future up in light of God’s big plan.
Links
Series
Speakers
Marcus Avalos
Lead Pastor
OH CHRISTMAS TREE
“Peanuts was not going to be childish or simple, or simply for children. It was going to be funny and sad, and best of all, funny about being sad. Or as Charlie Brown might say, “GOOD GRIEF”
- Charles Schultz .
UNIVERSAL NEEDS
- We all have insecurities. – Linus
- Everyone wants meaning and purpose. – CB
- We all have need to be loved - The Tree
CHARLES SCHULTZ: •Born 1922 •1950 – 2000 launched Peanuts Comic •Feb 13, 2000, last day Peanuts ran; Died same day •17,897 strips, 2,600 newspapers, 355 million readers
CHILDHOOD
- Sickly as a child, loved his family but often felt alone.
- Only Child. Shy and introverted.
- Difficult making friends
REJECTION
- Often rejected for his art
- HS Yearbook art rejected
- Girlfriend (Little red-headed girl)
- He proposed to her but was rejected and married another guy 2 weeks later.
GOOD GRIEF
•Mom Died of cancer as a teenager. •Drifted from Religion when his minister broke promise of not visiting his mother on her death bed. •Baptized into Christ at 26; •Became a Student of Bible •Changed the world in 1965
- Love for drawing came from Dad
- Passion for cartoonist was fueled when his drawing of family dog “Spike” was published.
THE BACK STORY
CHARLES SCHULTZ DREAM
•Deals with the real meaming of Christmas •Lots of snow scenes with skating •Put a Christmas play in it •Mix jazz and traditional Christmas music •A scene to read from Biboe •No laughing Track •Something involved with a tree only Charlie Brown could love.
THE FIR TREE Far down in the forest, where the warm sun and the fresh air make a sweet resting-place, grew a pretty-little fir tree.
“Oh! How I wish I were as tall as the other trees, then I would spread out my branches on every side, and my top would overlook the wide world…I should have birds b building their nest on my boughs, and when the wind blew, I should I should bow with stately dignity like my tall companions.
Oh, if I could but keep on growing tall and old! There is nothing else worth caring for in the world.”
RESPONSE:
- CBS wanted changes but approved it.
- BILL MELENDEZ – “we can’t do this! It’s too religious!
- CHARLES SCHULTZ response: “If we don’t do it, who else can?”
QUESTION:
- HAVE YOU EVER FELT OVERLOOKED? ISOLATED? LONELY?
CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS TREE (postscript) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. (Psalm 139:13-16)
TITLE:
Oh Christmas Tree
Week of 12-15-24
TEXT:
Psalm 139:13-16
CHECKING IN
If this is your first-time meeting as a group, or a new group member, introduce yourselves. Share with the group what you hope to get out of this GROW Group series.
MAIN POINT
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
INTRODUCTION
As your group time begins, use this section to introduce the topic of discussion. Last week we discussed joy. And how in the holiday season of joy, we can get caught up in the stress that we don't see things as blessings and joyful, but the complete opposite. This week we will discuss The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
QUESTION:
Have you ever felt overlooked? Isolated? Lonely?
UNDERSTANDING/DIGGING DEEPER
““Peanuts was not going to be childish or simple, or simply for children. It was going to be funny and sad, and best of all, funny about being sad. Or as Charlie Brown might say, “GOOD GRIEF”” – Charles Shultz
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ Psalm 139:13-16 Unpack Psalm 139:13-16 "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
THINK ABOUT IT:
Charlie Brown feels lost and disillusioned by the commercialism and superficiality of Christmas. When he picks a small, scraggly tree, it is dismissed by everyone around him as too plain and unattractive. Yet, Charlie Brown sees something others don’t—a potential for beauty and meaning in something seemingly insignificant. The tree, stripped of ornaments and looking sad, symbolizes how we, too, can feel broken, unworthy, or unloved.
COMMENTARY
Jesus came into the world humbly, born in a manger, surrounded by the lowliest of circumstances. To many, He was an unexpected savior—much like the Christmas tree was an unexpected symbol of Christmas spirit. Just as Charlie Brown’s tree, when adorned with care, transforms into something special, Jesus’ love for humanity transforms us. His love takes us as we are—imperfect, broken, and flawed—and brings out our true potential.
FOLLOW UP
Throughout this week, consider sending a follow-up email to your group. Some suggestions:
❏ Questions to consider as you continue to reflect on what you learned this week:
How can our group pray for you this week about the challenges you are facing, so that you can have victory?
When are you most prone to Satan’s attacks? List a couple of them, then prepare ahead of time for the potential attacks.
❏ A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering.
❏ Remember to memorize Psalm 139:13-16 and seek ways to apply it this week