If you asked the people at your church, “What is the most well known passage of scripture in America?” most might say it’s John 3:16.
But the answer might actually be Luke 2:8-14. Here is why:
In the summer of 1965 television executives approached Charles Schultz, creator of Peanuts, about writing, drawing, and animating a Charlie Brown and Snoopy Christmas TV special.
Schultz and his team finished the Christmas cartoon a week and a half before the broadcast date. Most of the production team believed the special would be a complete disaster. They didn’t like the music, the storyline, or the message at the end.
Television executives even said they would have canceled the program had their TV schedule allowed it.
On December 9, 1965, an estimated 15.5 million homes tuned in to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It has aired every December since.
The simple story is part of what makes this Christmas special so endearing. Charlie Brown searches for the true meaning of Christmas. The answer finally comes when Linus van Pelt recites Luke 2:8-14:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Because of the Charlie Brown Christmas special, Luke 2:8-14 may be the most widely heard passage of scripture from the entire Bible. It certainly is the most widely broadcasted in the history of television. For nearly six decades, millions of children and adults have heard these words each December.
You can watch Linus recite this famous passage of scripture by clicking here.
This December, may you and your family take time to remember “what Christmas is all about.” Thank you for your friendship and support to Family Council and the Education Alliance.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
READ MORE
