‘A Charlie Brown Christmas airs on Sunday December 13

It was announced in October that Apple TV had purchased the rights to three Charlie Brown Classics. The holiday cartoons for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas would now be on the streaming service and no longer available on network television. I viewed the Turkey Day cartoon on the local Blue Ridge Public Television Network which is channel 4, on local Cox Cable, I decided to set my TV in advance so I could tape A Charlie Brown Christmas which is scheduled for December 13 at 7:30 PM. Imagine my surprise when the program was not listed on the local PBS network.

I put the title in the search feature of Cox Cable and found out that it will not air on PBS or PBS Kids, as was stated. In this locale, A Charlie Brown Christmas will indeed be shown on Sunday night December 13 at 7:30 PM. The channel it can be viewed on in the Roanoke Virginia area is 106 which is WBRA 3. This is the third of four public television channels in the area. If you missed the Thanksgiving special it could be that it aired on a different station in your neck of the woods.

Once upon a time, there was only one Public Broadcasting Network in this area. It was channel 15 on UHF and did me in very clear. Today, thanks to cable and satalite, numerous television networks have more than one channel. Perhaps A Charlie Brown Christmas will indeed air on PBS or PBS Kids in some areas, so please check your local listings to make sure. If you have been a fan of this holiday classic since it first aired, in December 1965 you don't want to miss it. This heartwarming tale that reveals the true meaning of Christmas turns 55 this year.

One of the most endearing scenes in A Charlie Brown Christmas is when Linus takes the mic to share what the holiday is all about. Linus Van Pelt was voiced by child actor Christopher Dillon Shea who was born on February 5, 1958, and passed away on August 10, 2010, of natural causes. He left behind a wife and two daughters. Shea was also the voice of Linus in It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown in 1966. Shea has left behind a lasting legacy as millions each December wait eagerly to watch the holiday special and hear Linus give his speech.

It's been noted that during A Charlie Brown Christmas, Linus parts with his trusty blanket, not once but twice. He drops it as he tells about the angels saying "Fear Not" and near the end of the cartoon he uses his blanket to wrap around Charlie Brown's little Christmas tree. It may seem odd to have the tradition broken of watching this animated classic on CBS or ABC, but don't let that deter you. As you view it this year just think back on all the fond memories you have obtained since 1965.

I think about the year my mother decided to put up a small Christmas tree and every year after when she used it she called it her "Charlie Brown tree." I remember my oldest son complaining several years in a row because he missed Charlie Brown, in order to practice for the church Christmas program. I can remember watching this special with my great-grandma in what we called our "Old House" from age 7-9. The living room was very small and we had a black and white television set but also a lot of love.

Who can forget how the children began dancing to the classic tune Lucy and Linus rather than take direction from Charlie Brown. Do you recall if you laughed or cried when Charlie Brown was called a blockhead and all the gang made fun of his little tree? Did you cheer when his Christmas tree was decorated, or perhaps shed a tear as the children sang Hark the Herald Angels Sing? Are you old enough to remember when the Coca-Cola ads ran at the end of the show? This year especially, try to view the show in a different light and see what revelations you receive that you had not before. Most importantly don't forget to check your local listings.