Linus van Pelt is one of the main characters from the Peanuts comic strip and its animated adaptations. He is the middle child in the van Pelt family, between his older sister Lucy and his younger brother Rerun, and he is also Charlie Brown's best friend, serving as the voice of reason whenever something goes wrong. Though young and always carrying his blue blanket, Linus is unusually smart, and he acts as the strip's philosopher and theologian, often quoting the Gospels. He is also a believer in the "Great Pumpkin", a presumably imaginary Santa Claus-like being who, according to Linus, flies around the most sincere pumpkin patch and delivers toys to all the good little children.
Appearances in Christmas specials[]
Linus quoting from the Bible in A Charlie Brown Christmas.
- A Charlie Brown Christmas - At the beginning of the first Peanuts Christmas special, Charlie Brown talks to Linus about how depressed he is that Christmas is being ruined by commercialization; Linus remarks that Charlie Brown's the only person he knows who could actually be depressed at this time of the year. When Lucy is handing out the costumes and scripts for the school's Christmas pageant, Linus, who is to play the role of Joseph, complains about having to memorize the large amount of lines he apparently has, as he tends to suffer stage fright every time he has to perform in a school play. He is also dismayed to learn that Sally, who has an annoying crush on him, is playing Mary, Joseph's wife. Lucy also orders Linus to get rid of his blanket, but he opts to wear the blanket as part of his costume in the pageant. Later, when Charlie Brown decides he needs to go get a Christmas tree in order to give the group the proper mood, Linus accompanies him to the Christmas tree lot. After everyone laughs at the pathetic-looking little tree that they picked out and a frustrated Charlie Brown asks if anyone really knows what Christmas is really about, Linus responds by quoting the second chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, verses 8 through 14 from the King James Version. This causes the rest of the gang to realize Charlie Brown did the right thing, and also inspires Charlie Brown to take the tree home, decorate it, and show the gang it will work in the play. After Charlie Brown places a single one of Snoopy's ornaments on the tree, which causes it to bend over, Linus sets it upright, admitting that he didn't think it was a bad tree and that it just needs a little love, after which the other kids decorate the tree for Charlie Brown using the rest of Snoopy's decorations.
- "The Play" - This segment from The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show adapts the 1963 comic strip storyline in which Lucy volunteers Linus, against his will, to sing Jingle Bells during the Christmas program.
- It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown - In the opening scene of this 1992 special, Linus attempts to go sledding down a hill in a cardboard box. Later, he attempts to read about the meaning of Christmas to Sally, but is frustrated about her constant interruptions. He also explains the "calling birds" mentioned in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and tells her about how Albert Schweitzer "hated having to write thank-you notes" for the Christmas gifts he received. Later, when Charlie Brown is lamenting the fact that he can't afford the gloves he wants to buy for Peggy Jean, Linus suggests that he send her a nice card. The very last scene of the special has Linus, in response to Lucy ordering him to get out of his beanbag chair so she can use it, asking her why she can't be nice all the time like she was on Christmas morning.
Linus writing to Santa Claus in Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales.
- Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales - In this 2002 compilation special, Linus stars in the second segment, "Yuletide Greetings from Linus". He tries to write a letter to Santa Claus, saying that he does not really want any presents and would be fine if Santa skipped him this year, but Lucy crumples up the paper, so Linus starts writing another letter, this time suggesting that Santa send him his catalog because he does not know what he does want for Christmas. He also tries to send a Christmas card to the new girl in his class, but to his frustration, he has trouble addressing the card because she keeps changing her name. Further aggravating him, his card ends up being returned because the address that the girl provided to him was not real.
- I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown
- Dear Santa Claus
- "Christmas is Coming"
- "Happiness is the Gift of Giving"
- "Happiness is Holiday Traditions"
Mentions in other Christmas specials[]
In the Christmas-themed intro sequence for The Simpsons episodes "White Christmas Blues", "I Won't Be Home for Christmas", and "Gone Boy", when Bart Simpson is snowboarding past other Springfield citizens, Milhouse Van Houten can be seen sucking his thumb with a blanket in his other hand, as Linus tends to do.
Gallery[]
Snoopy grabs Linus' blanket.
"Linus, you've got to get rid of that stupid blanket!"
Linus is put off by Sally flirting with him.
"Gee, do they still make wooden Christmas trees?"
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Linus in "The Play".
Linus about to sing "Jingle Bells".
Linus with Lucy in Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales.
Linus with Lydia in Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales.
Linus with his siblings.
Linus with his brother Rerun in I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown.
Linus with Charlie Brown in I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown.
External links[]
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