5 Biblical Lessons We Can Learn From A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING (2024)

Published: November 22, 2023

5 Biblical Lessons We Can Learn From A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING

By Movieguide® Contributor

A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING

Quality: ****

Content: +4 Biblical, usually Christian, worldview, with no questionable elements whatsoever.

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a family viewing of the timeless cartoon A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING. Charlie Brown and the gang plan their very own Thanksgiving celebration after Peppermint Patty invites herself and their friends over to his house. When Charlie feels overwhelmed, the friends team up to plan a festive feast. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Peanuts cartoon without the antics of Snoopy and Woodstock as they prepare for the big day. While it may be a nostalgic animated feature, it remains relevant to this day.

Children have been enjoying A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING since its premiere in 1973. Times have changed since then, but we can still learn many enduring lessons from the Peanuts classic. Whether it’s the importance of gathering together or helping a friend in need, viewers walk away with a deeper understanding of the true meaning behind Thanksgiving. Other strong morals include forgiveness, gratitude and the power of prayer. Enjoy this list of biblical lessons we can glean from Charlie Brown and his lovable pals.

Gather Together

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10: 24-25

Peppermint Patty may be pushy in inviting herself over to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Yet, she has the right idea about the spirit of the holiday. Even though Charlie feels pressured to say yes, he extends the invitation. When the phone rings again, and Patty adds a few more friends to the list, Charlie reluctantly agrees to have everyone over to his home to celebrate. He must know in his heart that Thanksgiving is about marking the occasion with those in his community.

The Bible says in Hebrews 10: 24-25 that we should encourage connection with friends and take the time to gather together and encourage one another. We aren’t called to isolate ourselves or make a habit of neglecting the people around us. God created humans to have a sense of community and to support one another. Thanksgiving is about more than eating turkey and the yummy side dishes; it’s about coming together and expressing our appreciation for family and friends. We can all take note of Peppermint Patty and Charlie Brown’s willingness to host the feast.

Everything Is Better With Friends

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

It’s clear from the moment Charlie Brown hangs up the phone after speaking with Peppermint Patty that he doesn’t feel confident about preparing a Thanksgiving feast for his friends. He admits that the only food he can make is cereal and maybe toast. Luckily, his friend Linus is there to comfort him and offer a helping hand. Snoopy and Woodstock join them to throw together a meal. Of course, it consists of a tower of buttered toast, popcorn, jelly beans and pretzels. Nevertheless, it’s the thought that counts, and the moment demonstrates the importance of helping out one’s friends.

The words of Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 tell us that two people working towards a common goal is better than one because we accomplish more as a team. The Lord wants us to lean on each other during challenging times. He also calls us to be there for our friends during their time of need. When one of us falls, it’s nice to have a friend there to pick us up. Who would have thought we could learn such a valuable lesson from Linus? His willingness to lend Charlie Brown a helping hand in the kitchen sets a great example for children and adults alike.

Give Thanks In Prayer

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.”Psalms 107:8-9

One of the most heartwarming scenes is when Linus leads the group in prayer before the meal. He tells the story of the first Thanksgiving, saying, “Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.” It’s rare to find a spiritual moment like this one in modern-day cartoons, which is part of what makes A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING so charming.

Looking at the words in Psalms 107:8-9, we are called to thank the Lord for his steadfast kindness to us. His love gives us true fulfillment in a fallen world. When we take the time to give thanks in prayer, He fills our spirit with His blessings. What better time to pause and give thanks than Thanksgiving? This scene serves as a reminder that we need to give God the glory and appreciate the freedoms and opportunities He’s given to our wonderful country. You can’t get more pro-God and pro-America than that!

Have Good Manners

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”1 Peter 3:8

Peppermint Patty is rude during the celebration because she’s unhappy with the menu. “What blockhead cooked all this?” she yells before going on a rant about traditional Thanksgiving foods. Charlie Brown hangs his head and leaves the table. Marcie gently reminds her friend that she invited herself over and helps her realize that she hurt Charlie Brown’s feelings. Peppermint Patty comes to her senses and asks Marcie to apologize to Charlie Brown for her, which Marcie is happy to oblige.

We are instructed in 1 Peter 3:8 to be tenderhearted and kind to one another. The Lord wants us to be compassionate towards our friends and to have a pleasant attitude. While nobody is perfect, we should strive to look for the best in people and treat them with respect. This will prevent misunderstandings and disagreements. We should take inspiration from Marcie, who is not only a good friend to Charlie Brown but compassionately corrected Peppermint Patty to help her see the error in her ways.

Practice Forgiveness

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3: 12-13

Marcie agrees to apologize to Charlie Brown on behalf of Peppermint Patty because she’s afraid she’ll mess it up. Yet, after watching Marcie deliver a heart-felt sorry from behind a cracked door, Peppermint Patty decides to apologize for herself. She extends her hand, and Charlie Brown accepts her hand in forgiveness. It’s a tender moment between friends that teaches children the Biblical way to handle disagreements between friends. We are called to have a forgiving heart when someone offers an honest apology.

This message is delivered in Colossians 3: 12-13, which says we should handle complaints by going directly to our friends. The Lord calls us to show each other patience and kindness despite any wrongdoing. If a person who has wronged us realizes their mistake and apologizes, we should forgive them. This reflects God’s forgiveness for our sins when we confess and repent.

A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING is an enduring holiday favorite that stands the test of time.