We’ve all seen A Charlie Brown Christmas, the Emmy award-winning TV program that has charmed audiences for 50 years.

As Charlie Brown struggles with the commercialism of Christmas, Linus reminds him of what Christmas is all about.

The Christian messages are both obvious and subtle.

Linus was actually a contemporary of Paul and active in the early church.

The soundtrack includes the hymn, Hark the Herald Angels Sing:

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

When Linus quotes the Gospel of Luke to explain the message of Christmas, he spreads his little arms wide, like Christ, and he appears to have stigmata on his…