It’s that time of year we get excited and ask the seminal question: What do I really want for Christmas? Now that’s a great question for December and funny as it seems, I just can’t get the refrain from an old song outta my head.

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth

My two front teeth

See my two front teeth

Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth

Then I could wish you, “Merry Christmas”

What do you really want for Christmas this year? I can remember years back — in fact, 41 years back — when our youngest was about 20 months old and he decided exactly what he wanted for Christmas.

“I want a Mote-Me-Trol!” Sandy and I looked at each other wondering “What in the world is a “Mote-Me-Trol”? Well, we scoured the toy catalog at the ol’ downtown JCPenney, and finally after many days of intense searching and discernment figured out that what our budding toddler Mike wanted was a remote-controlled car. It was a terrific Christmas, and he got exactly what he wanted. We were young and poor as all young couples start out, but that was a Christmas to remember. All through the eyes of one excited toddler.

Back to our original thought: “All I want for Christmas is...”

What do I want for Christmas? As we gracefully age, we just don’t need as much as we used to. And yet I’ve been blessed to serve as a pastor these past two decades plus, so I know exactly what I want and need for Christmas. And my want and need are all filled by the words of two beloved characters who are much more than cartoon fodder in the Sunday papers. Charlie Brown and Linus always fill my want and need and expectations at Christmas.

For each of us, especially today, we struggle to find the true meaning of Christmas. It far too often gets lost in the commercialism, business, rushing, sprinting, eating, ignoring and totally forgetting what the real meaning of the day and season is about. I can still perfectly see good ol’ Charlie Brown on the school stage crying out, “Can’t anyone tell me what the true meaning of Christmas really is?” And Linus enters, stage right and says, “Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is really all about.”

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were afraid. But the angel said, “Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy for all people! For today in the town of David, a Savior has been born. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you. You will find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth and good will to all people!’

“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”

For each of us, as we ask ourselves “what do I want for Christmas” this year, take a cue from Linus and travel with the shepherds to meet the infant where true peace and true saving meet. When you come to realize that truth, you’ve got all you can ask for Christmas and more.

May His light lead you to the stable where you will find the Peace you seek. And may the lord of all good gifts richly bless you and yours this Christmas season. Merry Christmas, peace on earth and good will to all people!

Bob Stone is pastor of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Pocatello.