Charlie Brown Tree

Author: Pastor Mike Gutzler

This evening the family and I sat down for our annual viewing of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Much like the Christmas story, every time you watch it or hear it you notice something new. This year it was the Charlie Brown Tree.

Technically, the tree in the story is not called a “Charlie Brown Tree.” The tree receives its name due to the association with the character that adopts it. In reality, it is just another tree in the lot, surrounded by more shiny aluminum trees.

What brought my attention to the central role of the Charlie Brown Tree this year was twofold, 1) Linus’ explanation of Christmas just before they go tree shopping, and 2) a conversation I had with a member this week about seeing Jesus in our world today.

I will leave you to watch the half-hour movie on your own, but before you do… a bit about Jesus. When a fellow member and I were talking I was explaining the difference between a theologian – that being a person like you and me who studies God’s word – of glory and a theologian of the cross. This distinction was central to Luther’s teaching and may be helpful for you this Advent season.

A theologian has to start a study of God somewhere. When a theologian of glory starts looking at God they seeing strength, power, glory, might, and authority. Then, when a theologian of glory starts trying to point to God in the world, they would point towards places where they see those same characteristics. The theologian of glory thinks: “Where I see power and influence, I see God’s presence.”

A theologian of the cross starts with the cross. Take a moment and picture Jesus on the cross. What do you see? More often than not you see pain, suffering, weakness, helplessness, sadness, and struggle. A theologian of the cross, like Martin Luther, says if we want to see God or the divine in the world, we will see it in the places that hold those characteristics. What comes to mind for you?

So, back to the tree. At the tree farm, Charlie Brown picks out the weak, skimpy, no-frills tree after being inspired by Linus’ explanation of the Christmas. He brings the tree home and (probably the most important scene of the entire movie) Charlie Brown sees his dog’s first prize ribbon on the decorated dog house. Lights, glitz and glamour get the world’s attention and first prize. Charlie Brown, like us, feels defeated again. But, what happens…

The crowd that followed Charlie Brown home sees a tree in need of love, and they respond by taking what the world has and lifts up the tree in need. The tree is then restored to its true self by the communal love and collective efforts. Out of love, new life and hope are provided for the little tree. Finally, Charlie Brown returns to the scene and, after a silent full examination of the tree by the camera, the whole group responds by singing in joy.

We too are theologians of the cross. We are the ones who look for the Charlie Brown Trees in life and respond with love because we see our God in a similar place on the cross. Out of that encounter with the cross, we are inspired to respond. The love we share is restoring and life-giving to an otherwise rejected and forgotten part of the world.

Thank you for being a theologian of the cross, and may God open your eyes to all the Charlie Brown Trees we tend to gloss over and miss this Advent season.