A Charlie Brown Christmas

Charlie Brown confesses to Linus that, despite his love for Christmas, he feels depressed. He explains that the season's merriment doesn't fix his mood. The two are on their way to join friends for ice skating on a frozen pond.

Linus reproaches Charlie Brown for letting cynicism overshadow Christmas, while Violet adds a biting put-down. Feeling overwhelmed, Charlie Brown decides to seek help and goes to Lucy van Pelt's psychiatric booth to explain his problem.

Lucy diagnoses his problem and suggests that directing the group's annual Christmas play will help him get involved. She believes taking charge of the production will restore meaning to the season. Charlie Brown reluctantly accepts the role despite reservations.

On the way to rehearsal, Charlie Brown becomes increasingly discouraged by Christmas commercialization. The rehearsal features a modern, upbeat show with dancing and a 'Christmas Queen' (Lucy) who is difficult to work with. The mood contrasts sharply with the intended sincerity of the story.

Realizing the mood is off, Charlie Brown suggests a more traditional, heartfelt element for the play. He proposes a simple Christmas tree as the centerpiece to restore the proper mood.

Lucy pushes for a big pink aluminum Christmas tree, insisting it will save the production. She sends Charlie Brown and Linus to the tree lot to fetch one, despite Charlie Brown's reservations.

At the tree lot, Charlie Brown selects the only real tree, a small sapling. Linus questions the choice, but Charlie Brown believes it will shine once decorated.

On their return, Lucy, Violet, Patty, and Frieda scorn the tiny sapling, laughing at it. Charlie Brown asks aloud whether anyone knows what Christmas is really about.

Linus walks to center stage, asks for a spotlight, and drops his security blanket to recite the King James version of the annunciation to the shepherds. After the recitation, he tells Charlie Brown, 'That's what Christmas is all about.'

Inspired by Linus' speech, Charlie Brown realizes he does not have to let commercialism ruin Christmas. He takes the sapling home to decorate, determined to prove its potential in the play.

Charlie Brown stops at Snoopy's doghouse, which has won the lights and display contest, and hangs a large red ornament on the sapling. The ornament's weight causes the tiny tree to bend toward the ground, making him fear he has killed it.

The others arrive and help rescue the tree. Linus uprights the drooping branches and wraps his blanket around the base to provide support. They decorate the tree with items from Snoopy's doghouse and realize Charlie Brown's choice may have merit.

The group begins to hum 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' and the mood shifts toward warmth and meaning. Even Lucy concedes to Charlie Brown's choice, joining in the developing spirit.

Charlie Brown returns to see the fully decorated sapling and is greeted with cheers of 'Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!' The kids join in singing 'Hark' with him and Snoopy as snow begins to fall.