Linus awaits the appearance of the “Great Pumpkin”
Ever since 1959 when it was first introduced in the Peanuts comic strips by cartoonist and creator, Charles Shultz, the Great Pumpkin story has become a longstanding tradition at Halloween time. From October 26 through November 3 of that year, the Great Pumpkin developed through this sequence of Halloween-themed cartoon strips.
And then the cartoon was propelled into popularity in 1966 when it was made into an animated TV special titled, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” As we approach the Halloween festivities, no doubt this will be repeated in shows and videos once again.
One of the Great Pumpkin comic strips starts with Linus van Pelt and Charlie Brown standing in a pumpkin patch at night. Linus says, “Just think, Charlie Brown…When the ‘Great Pumpkin’ rises out of the pumpkin patch, we’ll be here to see him!”
Charlie Brown says, “It occurred to me that there must be ten million pumpkin patches in this country. What makes you think we’re in the right one?”
Linus: “Just a feeling I have, Charlie Brown, although I think this must be the kind of pumpkin patch he would prefer. I doubt if he likes large pumpkin patches…They’re too commercial…He likes small, homey ones…They’re more sincere….”
Charlie Brown: “Somehow I’ve never thought of a pumpkin patch as being sincere.”
Suddenly, Linus points ahead with great excitement, shouting, “THERE HE IS! THERE HE IS!”
Little does Linus realize, however, that what he actually sees is the silhouette of their canine friend, Snoopy, standing in the moonlight shining on him.
Yet, convinced that it’s what he thinks it is, Linus continues to exclaim, “IT’S THE ‘GREAT PUMPKIN’ HE’S RISING UP OUT OF THE PUMPKIN PATCH!”
Then, “KLUNK!” Linus is so overwhelmed he faints, falling smack on the ground. “Ohhhh!” he groans.
Meanwhile, there’s Snoopy watching in the background.
When Linus finally starts to come to, he raises his head in bewilderment. Charlie Brown and Snoopy are standing there staring down at him.
“What happened?” Linus asks. “Did I faint? What did he leave us? Did he leave us any toys?”
Charlie Brown answers: “No toys…Just a used dog.”
Linus doesn’t get it. All he could think about is the vision he thinks he saw: “He must be well on his way by this time. Happy journey, O Great Pumpkin! Happy journey!
All Snoopy could think was, “‘Used dog’! Good grief!”
You can probably draw different religious metaphors from this cartoon, although it’s reported that Charles Shultz claimed this was not his intention. His only aim was to show the humor of one of the young characters confusing Halloween with Christmas (Wikipedia).
On the other hand, I submit there is a Biblical lesson we can glean from the Great Pumpkin.
Linus had faith that the Great Pumpkin, like Santa Claus, was going to reward him with toys. Now, what child, or any grown-up for that matter, doesn’t want lots of toys to entertain and play with? What fun! What pleasure! What joy!
The only problem, however, was that there was no such thing as the Great Pumpkin. It was all in Linus’ mind. He had no proof that such a thing existed, although there were plenty of pumpkins all around him. That’s all there were—pumpkins—scientifically classified as Cucurbita pepo, or otherwise known as “squash” or “winter squash.”
They can be carved into jack-o-lanterns with many faces and shapes; made into pumpkin pie, and other delicious desserts and dishes of food. Plus, they can be used as feed for livestock and wildlife. You can even make bowls and planters out of them along with many other creative uses. But there’s no Great Pumpkin that will rise up out of the pumpkin patch and hand out toys to girls and boys.
Linus had faith, fur sure. We can admire him for that. But it was a misplaced faith. For one thing, his faith was based on material things—things that were only temporary—things that would not stand the test of time for eventually they’d likely break, or get misplaced and lost or stolen, or they’d lose their usefulness or appeal in time.
What Linus actually needed was to put his faith in something that would always last, never wear out, and always be used and cherished. Rather than the Great Pumpkin, he really should have put his faith in the Great Coming of the One person who truly blesses us far beyond the material things we desire. This is featured by the spiritual things like, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” that lead to eternal life in God’s coming Kingdom (Galatians 5:22-24).
Rather than believing in the false idea that the Great Pumpkin arose from the pumpkin patch, it’s far more rewarding to believe the truth that Jesus Christ was raised from death to life immortal to give us the hope of the Great Day that WILL come, when the dead in Christ rise again (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people like Linus in the world. It’s not the material things they should be longing for. Instead, they should long for the spiritual things, the things from above, like the Bible says:
Colossians 31Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. (New American Standard Bible, NASB).
Worldly people put their faith in the wrong places or persons. They cannot really give them what they want or need. Their pleasures are on material things not the things of God and his Word (2 Timothy 3:14-17). They don’t seem to accept the fact that it’s the spiritual things that will always last. (Consider Moses: Hebrews 11:24-26.)
And they don’t understand the reward for our faith will come at long last when Christ comes in all his glory and power (Matthew 25:21; Romans 6:23; Revelation 22:12). But we as believers can look forward to that wonderful day with great expectation and hope (Titus 2:13).
Meanwhile, there are people like Charlie Brown who don’t have any faith at all. Sure, they question the Great Pumpkin’s existence. But where is their faith in God’s existence? Where is their hope in the promise of the Great Day to come when God sends his Son to earth to save this planet and all those who are looking for him like the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 4:8)?
And then there’s Snoopy. He doesn’t get any respect either. He’s just there, being himself. Just observing. Misidentified and mislabeled: “Used dog.” Even innocent bystanders without a clue get abused. Good grief!
Good News to YOU!
Pastor Michael
P.S. Jesus, and not the Great Pumpkin, is the answer to the questions that perplex us today. Here’s Michael W. Smith singing, “Jesus Is the Answer,” in a tribute to the songs of Andrea Crouch: https://youtu.be/7uZJiHb2ENU