Christmas Online 2020

Time flies! We’re already into November, Thanksgiving just five days away! Black Friday - a thing of the past, at least this year with the COVID pandemic still a reality.

Now it's ALL about Online shopping. Including cherished TV specials that have always aired free on broadcast television. For example, did you know that a Charlie Brown Christmas will only be available on Apple TV+ streaming service this year? In 2018 Apple purchased the rights to the Charles M. Schultz Peanuts specials.

Update: 12/4/2020 - Watch it live on Sunday, December 13, at 7:30/6:30c on PBS and PBS KIDS.

Still, “Christmas - is - just around the corner.”

As a youngster - just around the corner - meant Main Street on the square; Marshall’s Hardware, climb the stairs to Santa Land. My brothers and I would take a walk to town to check out all the toys we wanted Santa to bring. Day-and-Palin’s had the only Christmas tree lot that I remember in our small town. Waiting for Christmas back then seemed like an eternity.

Shopping for this year's tree? L.L. Bean has some fresh beauties available for home delivery. What about toys for the kids? The days of toy stores are also a thing of the past. Don’t worry, you can always have Amazon deliver just about anything else.

Hmmm, the “toys” have morphed somehow, instead of a Red Ryder BB gun, or a G.I. Joe, now it’s the newest smartphone, iPad, gaming subscriptions, gift cards, and luxury automobiles.

And yes, all available online!

Come to think of it, how would Charles Schulz have written A Charlie Brown Christmas today?

“I suggest we try your iPhone, Charlie Brown.”

“Hey, Siri we need a Christmas tree?”

“I found a few Christmas tree farms near you, the first one . . . Use Apple Pay and get FREE delivery to your GPS coordinates (the auditorium).”

Can you believe A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired - December 1965? It’s still my favorite holiday program. I watch it every year. Good thing we have Apple TV.

Now the statement, “Christmas is just around the corner.” is accompanied by “Have you upgraded to the latest streaming platform? It’s only $4.99 more per month.”

Has multimedia marketing persuaded you it’s about shopping till your debit is unbearable, sorry? These monthly subscription fees can get out of control quickly. Of course, they’re not that transparent.

I’m convinced, we need to be reminded of simpler times. Please take a few minutes this holiday season to dust off a book from your shelf and read from the Gospel of Luke; Chapter 2 Verses 8 through 14:

Allow me,

"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. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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 and goodwill towards men.”

. . . As Linus reminds us, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

This is Patrick Ball, thanks for listening, see you in the next episode.

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