Via Newsbusters:

LINUS: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and lo the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, tis Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Newsbusters also makes this interesting observation:

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin recently told NewsBusters something most of us probably never noticed about this scene.

When Linus says, “Fear not,” he drops his security blanket. According to Palin, “It’s almost like he realized where his true security rests.”

Also of note about this scene is the show’s producer and lead animator were very concerned about mixing religion into the program. They met with Peanuts creator Charles Schulz to try to talk him into deleting it.

The lead animator Bill Melendez said to Schulz, “It’s very dangerous for us to start talking about religion now.”

Schulz answered him by saying, “Bill, if we don’t, who will?”