LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the editor:

Good grief, Charlie Brown!

The Christmas tree is both an icon of seasonal celebration and a tradition of family harmony. It projects warmth, love and togetherness; the open hospitality of the American ideal, the family.

Hastily purchased, for almost a day's wage, the purist leaves the price tag on so that others might be impressed with its expense. Grudgingly, dad opens another beer and mom continues to sip warmed wine, calming their frazzled nerves while untangling and sorting fragmented and broken decorations made in China. The evening wears thin with disagreements and bickering until the plug goes in and the lights go on. A magnificent statement to those that behold this symbol of a normal, happy and fulfilled family full of holiday cheer.

The fragrance of pine circles the blinking lights and swaying angel as an image, an advertisement that this is an All-American family straight out of "Little House on the Prairie." In time, though, the family tree will betray the true lifelessness and facade of this wholesome needless ordeal.

Too soon the party comes to an end and the drudgery of dismantling is at hand. The once glittering spectacle is darkened, the power source detached and the gaudy garland removed to reveal a dry tree in its nakedness. It's dead. The tree is dead.

A hollow emptiness of times past echoes between a tired mom and disgusted dad as they mechanically go through this ritual once again. Coldly coaxing their bored kids to bed with silent tears of futility. Something is missing. Their display of Christmas past in sight, sounds and glittering distractions is no longer satisfying. Their family tree is dead and they don't even know it. The party is over and they haven't left yet.

There's another Christmas tree that is usually found in the back of the corner lot. It's free because it's been picked over many times. I call it a "Charlie Brown" tree because it is out of shape, scrawny and stands painfully conspicuous from the rest. In a less apparent way, it truly represents the true Christ of Christmas.

Jesus was not born to this world in splendor and holiday pageantry nor did He live His life in dazzling notoriety and wealthy trappings. Even the fidelity of His lower-class parents was questioned and ridiculed. He was in a sense, out of shape, unattractive and certainly unnoticed and unwanted. Only a lonely star illuminated His inner essence beyond His exterior appearance. He is the tree of life. A true celebration of God's love and the holy covenant of marriage.

He came from the back lot instead of from the glorious splendor of a political throne and yet stood out among men as unusual and different. He didn't fit. And like the "Charlie Brown" tree, He displayed the honest truth. The only adornment a real family tree needs to bless Him for His birthday is for the father to love his wife as our Lord loves the church and for the wife to love her husband back as she really loves the Lord. That is the gift that will put Christ back into Christmas. Happy birthday Jesus!

Allow me to encourage you in this season of year-end to restore your "Charlie Brown" family before the throne of grace. Begin the new year with your Christmas tree emblazoned with all you hold to be beautiful, your blessed family in Him. This rededication of eternal commitment in marriage and parenthood will cause your true Christ-mas tree to shine in His light and live forever and ever.

Good grief, Charlie Brown! What a wonderful way to start the new year!

Rick Mathes

Mission Gate Prison Ministry

Chesterfield, Mo.