Charlie Brown is best known for his uniquely striped shirt, and Linus is most associated with his ever-present security blanket. Throughout the story of Peanuts, Lucy, Snoopy, Sally and others all work to no avail to separate Linus from his blanket. And even though his security blanket remains a major source of ridicule for the otherwise mature and thoughtful Linus, he simply refuses to give it up.

Until this moment. When he simply drops it.

In that climactic scene when Linus shares “what Christmas is all about,” he drops his security blanket, and I am now convinced that this is intentional. Most telling is the specific moment he drops it: when he utters the words, “fear not.”

Looking at it now, it is pretty clear what Charles Schultz was saying, and it’s so simple it’s brilliant.

The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears.

The birth of Jesus frees us from the habits we are unable (or unwilling) to break ourselves.

The birth of Jesus allows us to simply drop the false security we have been grasping so tightly, and learn to trust and cling to Him instead.

Surely, Schultz knew what an important moment this was in the episode.

It is a turning point in the episode, marked by the angelic message “fear not” and Linus, taking the words to heart, dropping his security blanket on the floor.

Charlie Brown’s mood changes drastically after Linus’s speech. He grows more determined, and doesn’t let the commercialization of Christmas, or the ridicule of his friends, ruin his Christmas. He decorates his sapling, quite well, and the play is saved.

Like Soroski, I’m convinced this was purposeful.

Did you notice this before?

Tell us in the comments below.