TV: A Charlie Brown Christmas (60th Anniversary)

A Charlie Brown Christmas premiered 60 years ago today on CBS. It was the first TV adaptation of Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic Peanuts, and its popularity spawned a litany of animated specials, merchandising, and an annual balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. 

The great irony is that A Charlie Brown Christmas was acutely critical of the commercialization of Christmas, and advocated a simpler take on the holiday. Even before cellphones, the Internet, and computers, consumerism at Christmas was already an issue:

For decades, the special was broadcast every year at Christmastime on CBS. In what is a sign of the times, it is now available only on Apple TV+.  The climactic scene is a small monologue from Linus, wherein he explains the true meaning of Christmas:

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 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.