A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Christ over commercialization in a beloved Christmas classic.
Should You Watch It?
Yes. A Charlie Brown Christmas is a superb family Christmas movie with priceless animation, music that fits the action perfectly, and voice actors who bring the familiar Peanuts characters to life. Its gentle humor and sweet story make it an easy choice for the whole family.
More importantly, the special turns away from Christmas commercialization and toward the birth of Jesus Christ. It also stresses serving others during Christmastime. A few comic insults and a tiff between Lucy and Snoopy do not cast a shadow over its Christian message or warmth.
Watch it together when you want a short, funny Christmas story that points your family to the true meaning of the season.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESCharlie Brown feels sad despite the bustle of Christmas. Lucy makes him director of the Christmas play, and Charlie soon finds himself trying to help the production while his friends prepare for the season in their own ways.
When Charlie chooses an unassuming Christmas tree, his friends mock it. Linus helps Charlie understand why Christmas matters and where its true meaning is found.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an exemplary animated classic. The animation is priceless, and the music follows the onscreen action perfectly. The voice actors are also perfect for the familiar Peanuts characters.
The short is funny and profound without losing its sweetness. Its Christmas carols, gentle comedy, and service-oriented message work together naturally. This is a carefully made family special with lasting emotional and spiritual appeal.
The Worldview
This special presents a very strong Christian, biblical worldview. It stresses celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ rather than commercialism, includes many Christmas carols, and emphasizes serving others during Christmastime. A character believes in Santa, but that belief does not overshadow the central message that Jesus is the true reason for the season.
The special’s central longing is for Christmas to mean something deeper than bustle and buying. It answers that longing by pointing to the Savior’s birth: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
<strong>
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
</strong> Very strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview stresses the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, with many Christmas carols, an emphasis on celebrating Jesus Christ and serving others rather than commercialization, and a character believes in Santa but it doesn’t overshadow that Jesus is the true reason for the season; <strong>
Foul Language
</strong> No obscenities or profanities; <strong>
Violence
</strong> Lucy and Snoopy get into a tiff where she says “I outta slug you”; <strong>
Sex
</strong> No sex; <strong>
Nudity
</strong> No nudity; <strong>Alcohol Use</strong> No alcohol; <strong>
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
</strong> No smoking or drugs; and, <strong>
Miscellaneous Immorality
</strong> One character calls Charlie Brown a “blockhead,” characters call each other stupid a couple times, and brief sarcasm.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Charlie Brown feels sad amid the Christmas bustle. What helps us remember what Christmas is truly about?
Luke 2:10–11 · Matthew 6:19–21The special stresses serving others during Christmastime. Who could your family serve this week, and what could you do?
Galatians 5:13 · Philippians 2:3–4The characters mock Charlie Brown’s scrawny tree before helping decorate it. How can we respond when someone or something seems unimpressive?
1 Samuel 16:7 · James 2:1–4Linus points everyone to Jesus’ birth. How does the birth of Christ bring joy and hope?
Luke 2:10–14 · Titus 2:11–14The Final Word
A Charlie Brown Christmas is short, funny, beautifully animated, and centered on Jesus Christ rather than commercialization. Its small comic conflicts never overwhelm its warmth or message. For a Christmas classic that welcomes the whole family and points to the Savior, WORTH WATCHING.
