The 5th day of Christmas

I noticed that another blogger had written about Peanuts' classic Christmas episode and how Linus preaching the gospel by reciting Luke 2:8-14 so I thought I would post the "backstory" they linked to. The following is an excerpt from Michael Taube of the Washington Times:

"...as ridiculous as this may sound, some people thought the first animated Peanuts special also would be the last. As Mr. Solomon writes, “‘A Charlie Brown Christmas‘ had been made quickly and on a minuscule budget.” Network executives at CBS thought it was going to be a colossal failure, calling it “flat” and “slow” and “only aired it because it had already been scheduled.” The three artists “feared they had created a flop, ending Charlie Brown’s television career just as it was beginning.” Instead, it turned out to be a massive success, winning Emmy and Peabody awards, and is still earning accolades to this day.
One of the things that set “A Charlie Brown Christmas” apart from other animated specials was when Linus recited the Gospel of St. Luke (2:8-14). Schulz wanted this important biblical passage in the special even though CBS expressed concern. Melendez also was “initially dismayed,” telling the cartoonist, “Sparky, this is religion. It just doesn’t go in a cartoon.” Schulz apparently looked at him “very coldly and said, ‘Bill, if we don’t do it, who will? We can do it.’” Melendez acknowledged Schulz “was right,” and that particular scene is kept intact each year.
The words Peanuts and Christmas are synonymous in today’s popular culture"

Thanks to Mr. Schulz many people still hear what Christ-mas is all about.

Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/24/book-review-the-art-and-making-of-peanuts-animatio/#ixzz2GQ8Gtdaz