Today is the first day of my blog series, “Advent in Narnia” Reflections for the Season by Heidi Havetkamp.

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” ~Luke 13:24 (ESV)

If you have never read, C.S.Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” I highly recommend them. They are not simply fir children. The Chronological order of the books are as follows:

Publication Order

The books were originally published in this order:

1. 1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
   2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
   3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
   4. The Silver Chair (1953)
   5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
   6. The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
   7. The Last Battle (1956)

Chronological Order

Sometime after the death of C. S. Lewis, British editions of the books began appearing that were numbered according to the order the stories take place:

1. The Magician’s Nephew

2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

3. The Horse and His Boy

4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia

5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

6. The Silver Chair

7. The Last Battle

These books focus on the life of four children, two boys and two girls. Their parents send them away to live in the country, placed in the care of two adult caretakers to escape the bombings of World War II. As the story goes, Lucy the youngest wonders into a room with a large wardrobe, being inquisitive as most youngsters are, she opens the wardrobe door and steps in. To her surprise, she walks past many fur coats, I imagine they were hanging about waist high. As Lucy presses on, shoving costs side to side, she begins to feel cold and something underfoot. All of a sudden, she’s no longer in the wardrobe but in a forest with freshly fallen snow and a lamppost.

Have you ever found yourself in a place where your not exactly sure where you are, metaphorically or literally?

Advent can be a season of wondering and finding, when we are open to the Holy Spirit. Much like Lucy, let’s be open to where the path leads us. Advent is a season of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus and the return of Jesus.

The Advent and Christmas Season (Santa and gift exchange) can both be celebrated together. Celebrate the joys of giving gifts and receiving gifts, gifts from the heart are always priceless. Give of your time and talents, they are more valuable than gold or silver. No matter what your traditions may be, be intentional with all of them. Seek to serve those in need, this season is a great opportunity to be the literal hands and feet of Jesus in a world that screams for “Peace on earth, Good Will towards all.”

I am committed to this Advent Season, not because I’m ready but because I’m willing. Being a Christian does not mean all your days will be perfect, it means you never have to face them alone. I hope you will join me for the next four weeks as I share thoughts of Advent and my journey.

Questions to ponder:

Do you have traditions or preparations regarding Advent that are most meaningful to you?

Do they reveal something about Jesus to you?

Do you have any thoughts about Luke 13:24? Specially, the imagery of Jesus as the “narrow door?” It’s been said that some see the narrow door as an escape from the individual that are different from ourselves or an opportunity to place ourselves up on a pedestal as more special than others. What if…we see the door as an invitation and not a barrier to separate ourselves.

We are all God’s children and we are all special to Him. So special in fact, that were created with a purpose and a plan. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Psalm 139:13-14 You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.

Here’s some music from the soundtrack “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”

~Peace~

References:

https://www.narniaweb.com/

https://biblehub.com/

https://biblereasons.com/

Hello friends –

I’m wishing you all a day filled with “thanks.” Holidays can be difficult for many and that’s okay, I encourage you to name or list the things you’re thankful for in spite of sadness or difficulties. We can always be thankful for something. Leave the list of things you don’t have for another day, God has provide for this day and I am grateful.

I’m working, today “Thanksgiving Day,” I’m thankful for a job. I’m especially thankful that I have a job I love. I’m thankful for my coworkers who allow me to be me, even on my most difficult days. None of us are perfect and sometimes; some of us hang out at the corner of OCD (obsessive compulsive design) and control central a bit too much. If you’re anything like me, (gosh I hope not) I will do a “thing” thinking I’m helping and in reality I’m seen as “taking over” and “making others do things my way.” Of course, we all at one time or another have hearts with the desire to help and a well laid out plan in our heads that makes perfect sense, to us! (HaHa!) This exact scenario recently happened to me. I must admit, I’m an overachiever and often take off with an idea and just run with it, not taking time to consult or ask for anyone’s input. I’m not saying my ideas are bad ones, just that as the saying goes, “there’s no “I” in team! In my zeal to help I actually caused some hurt feelings to a coworker, I felt bad and quickly resolved the indifference. At first I struggled to understand the hurt feelings, then another coworker talked with me about the situation. Initially, I felt defeated as if I was being treated unfairly because after all, I was only trying to help. Then came a moment of clarity, the light bulb 💡came on above my head and I was able to see the events from different perspective. I didn’t like hearing that some see me as a “control freak!” That’s not how I saw myself or my intentions at all, but taking a step back helped me to see how someone might think so. So, long story but you know what, I’m thankful for this opportunity to learn. I’ve posted blogs previously dealing with control and felt as though I understood what it meant, maybe I did understand at a technically level but I wasn’t putting into practice, all that I believe. I fully recommend taking a step back on a regular basis and look at yourself, and ask yourself, do you like what you see?

Speaking about practice, I had a coach in college that had a saying about practice and it has stayed with me all these years later. She would say, “Practice doesn’t make you perfect…Perfect practice can made you perfect!” Meaning, if you practice a skill incorrectly, you will never learn to do it correctly. -Coach Shemwell

As Christians, we are called to go into the world and share the love of Jesus. We are to be the literal hand & feet of Jesus in this World. Practicing our faith and belief in Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:7-8

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

John 13:34-35

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Matthew 25:34b-36

“Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I needed clothes and you clothes me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? ‘The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Happy Thanksgiving! May God provide for you needs today! I hope you have the opportunity to share a meal with family, friends or strangers today. We are all God’s children and that is something wonderful to be thankful for. My meal was Pringle’s chips and an apple with peanut butter shared with fellow employees. I had planned on potato soup but I forgot it at home, it will be a nice treat when I get home! Life is GOOD!

Looking forward to sharing more with you during Advent Season 2019!

~Peace~