Linus and Jesus
Every week on Monday morning, I get together with a group of guys from my gym after our early morning workout and head to Dunkin’ for coffee and to read Scripture together. It is a diverse group of brothers from across the spectrum of Christendom. It is one of the highlights of my week.
We read the upcoming Gospel text appointed for each Sunday in the 3-year lectionary each week. I send out the reading sometime over the weekend so we can ponder it a bit before we come together. With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday this year, I had many options to pick from. Would I go with the reading for Advent 4, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Midnight?
Who passes up on Luke 2 when they get the chance?
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom He is pleased!”Luke 2:1–14 ESV
Amid our normal banter in the text thread, a good friend could not help but send the famous scene from A Charlie Brown Christmas where Linus recites Luke 2.
It is a scene I’ve watched dozens of times, yet there is always something more to see. As we sat down with our coffee in hand, having read the text together, my good friend Kevin said, “You know, I’ve heard people say that the most important part of Linus reciting Luke 2 is that he drops his blanket.”
I was stunned. 38 trips around the sun, multiple times watching this movie, and I never noticed Linus dropping his blanket. And now, it will never be the same. Linus, who always has his blanket and does not care if someone mocks him for his need of it, finds peace at the announcement of the incarnation of our Savior.
The simple image of a child finding so much peace in Something that he relinquishes his grip on the object from which he has derived so much comfort is a beautiful picture. Like the rest of us, Linus carries some malady, which drives him to seek such comfort. Commenting on Isaiah 40, Luther writes this:
God’s people are those who need comfort because they have been wounded and terrified by the Law and they are an empty vessel capable of receiving comfort. Only those who are afflicted have comfort and are capable of it, because comfort means nothing unless there is a malady.
Luther’s Works AE 17:3
We, the people of Jesus, are all those who know our sins. And this Christmas season, we are reminded of what has happened: God took on flesh and was born of the Blessed Virgin to head to Calvary for you and me. And so this Christmas, may we be like Linus, finding peace in the Name of Jesus. He is for your dear friend. He always has been, and He always will be. Merry Christmas.
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From President Buss
I don’t remember the weather, but I do remember the date: December 19, 1986. Place: The Chapel of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. And the chapel speaker was Dr. David Scaer. I do not remember what he said, but I do remember what happened right before chapel that day.
My girlfriend was down to Fort Wayne to visit from college at Concordia University Wisconsin. (The added advantage of her presence was that she would iron my shirts. LOL) The day had come and I was going to “pop the question.” I had received some advice from Steve, a fellow seminarian, as we lived in the same dorm. As you ask her hand in marriage, say to her, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34:3)
Well, I asked if she would marry me, nervously mumbled the passage, and the rest is history. I’m not sure Marie remembers I quoted the passage either.
The fact that we sinners can glorify the Lord and exalt His name is pure grace and gift. Our togetherness as forgiven people in Christ is pure mercy and the work of the Gospel!
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