When Charlie Brown nearly decides no one knows what the meaning of Christmas is in the holiday classic television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” his friend Linus surprises and inspires him when he recites chapter two, verses eight through 14 from the book of Luke in the Bible when angels inform nearby shepherds about the birth of Jesus.

It is often easy for people to lose sight of what Christmas means, much like the Peanuts gang did, especially with the added pressures of gift buying, travel planning and scheduling Christmas get-togethers this time of year brings.

Some of the area’s pastors took a second from their own hectic holiday schedules to channel Linus and remind everyone the reason for the season.

The Rev. Kory Burel, pastor of Bemiston Baptist Church in Talladega, said, “Most of what we get in Luke chapter two is the angels talking to the shepherds, and they basically just tell what is happening.

“The angels say ‘Today, in the city of David, there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.’ Christ the Lord means he’s the messiah, so being Jewish they understood exactly what they were saying.”

Burel also points out in the book of Matthew how an angel tells Joseph in a dream that Jesus will save the people from their sins.

“I think the biggest point of Christmas is we need to remember that it wouldn’t mean much if we didn’t have a cross and resurrection,” Burel said.

The Rev. Carrie Kramer, associate pastor at Pell City First United Methodist Church, said, “As a pastor of a church, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and what it means for humanity.

“We celebrate the fact that God cares about us and is with us. We have hope because of the promise to all of us that there is something more than struggle and pain in life, and we find joy in God.”

In addition, she said it is a time to remember the gift God gave the world and how people should seek to give to others.

Sylacauga First Presbyterian Church pastor the Rev. Jim Stanford said he has been analyzing why there was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph when it was time for Jesus to be born.

Stanford said, “This Christmas and every Christmas should be about letting God come into our lives. This Christmas I’ve been particularly intrigued with Luke’s gospel and why there was no room at the inn.

“God intervened with angels visiting Mary and angels speaking to Joseph in his dreams. He could have provided an angel to get them a room that night, but I think He didn’t because that’s where we get to become participants.”

Both Stanford and Kramer said they have noticed an unexpected benefit from the current poor economy in the country – people seem to be going the extra mile in making sure others are cared for over the holidays.

“With the economy like it is, people are more conscious about caring for other people,” Stanford said. “I’ve rung the Salvation Army bell (at the donation kettles) several times this year, and people have just been so generous, and it is so gratifying to see.”

Kramer said, “We have to constantly fight the commercialism of Christmas. It’s something churches can get caught up in, and it’s something I’ve gotten caught up in when buying presents for friends and family.

“This year more people are finding themselves in difficult economic situations, and I think maybe there has been more of an effort to think about other ways to express love for others in their lives.”

Burel said he had two reasons he enjoyed the Christmas. Many people would be well served to share in his reasoning.

“Being with family and remembering how blessed we all are,” Burel said.