Father Christmas has come, Aslan is coming near and winter is thawing. The long terrible winter in Narnia is over and the White Witch is on the run. Her dwarf declared, “This is no thaw. This is spring!”The White Witch’s winter has been destroyed and spring has sprung for all of Narnia. Everything is coming to life, the birds are singing, the trees and flowers are budding.
Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus! We welcome the baby Jesus, born long ago in Bethlehem to Mary, a virgin. Joseph, an obedient servant of God, accepted Mary as his wife and father to the new born King.
With Aslan’s coming, winter’s grip has been destroyed.
With Jesus’ birth, sin’s power is on the run.
~Isaiah 9:6~
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
This is no thaw. This is spring!
Merry Christmas! ✝️🤍🌟🎄🎁❄️🎅🏻🙏🏻
Friends—
Thank you for joining me on this journey of Advent in Narnia, it has been an adventure for me and provided new memories and perspectives. ~Peace~
Questions for Reflection:
• Are there other ways that Christmas could be like the coming of spring?
— Starting something new: new traditions, renewing a friendship, reconciling a relationship with Jesus, love more, being Jesus to anyone who needs to know him.
• What new things, in particular, may Christmas be bringing into your life this year?
— New self-realization; recognizing my worthiness because I am a child of God. Trusting myself. Step forward in faith.
~Merry Christmas~Jesus is the Reason for the Season~
Follow along in chapter 11 of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
Advent is a season of watching, waiting, and finding ways to enter into God’s plan. The Pevensie children; Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy having entered into Narnia filled the Narnian’s with hope and expectation. They heard the prophecy of four humans, two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve would bring about the return of Aslan! The children were not sure of all they heard but they chose to be part of the community they found. Christmas came to Narnia because of the faith and willingness to see change, repentance, love for one another and to care for one another by the creatures in Narnia and the four children.
Likewise, the first Christmas came because of the power of God and the willingness of ordinary people preparing the way for Jesus’ birth. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, some shepherds, wise men, and an inn keeper were watching, waiting and willing to be part of God’s plan.
Jesus is coming! Are you ready? Jesus will melt the power of sin, evil and death. Aslan’s return will melt away all the ice and winter is disappointments. The stronghold of the White Witch is slowly coming undone; Narnia is returning to the land that Aslan had created.
On this Christmas Eve, let us be mindful of the power of God’s love and of it being vulnerable; this love is also in our hands now and until the day that Jesus will return. Jesus is Coming! Hallelujah ~Amen!
Questions for Reflection:
• In what ways might your congregation be similar to a small band of forest animals and children? How could this be a strength? How could this be a weakness?
— I feel extremely blessed to be part of a small congregation that loves deeply, loudly and aggressively! Our small church helps the homeless, promotes community involvement and feeds the hungry, physically and spiritually.
• What small role might you be playing to help Christ come into the world?
— I try to be available to people, a shoulder to lean on or a sounding board. I believe in being the literal hands and feet of Jesus, I fail a lot but it doesn’t discourage me from trying.
• In scripture, God often chooses the small, the under-dog, or the younger brother as a leader or change agent. Why do you think that could be?
— God uses the ordinary people for extraordinary things.
“On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
All are welcomed at the Feast of God! Isaiah writes of a great feast for His people who have suffered terrible violence and deprivation. God will have the finest table ever imagined, God can indeed spread a table in the wilderness.
Psalm 78:19
“They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness.”
Father Christmas provided a feast in Narnia, it too had the finest of things. Father Christmas wanted the Narnian’s to remember life before the White Witch and to celebrate the new things that were coming. The White Witch was so cold and cruel, nothing to her deemed a celebration. In fact, celebrating to her was a “WASTE!” The White Witch, though she did not want to admit it, knew that Aslan was on the move and her power was lessening, day by day in Narnia, as it was thawing.
Holidays and Feasting! Family Gatherings and Reunions, and Feasting! Advent and Christmas, they typically include special meals and gatherings with friends and family. Many are choosing to not have gatherings this season due to COVID-19, while others choose to gather but only with immediate family. My experience has been that no matter what kind of relationships people have when gathering, they tend to push them aside for the sake of being with those they care about. Of course, these events do not cancel or erase quarrels, mistakes or betrayals but they do help to remind us that people matter, even if they have hurt us in the past. There’s also no guarantee that a gathering will go smoothly but often the risk is worth the healing that can take place. Some of my fondest memories of my childhood were celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with most of my relatives on my mom’s side of the family. My mom had 8 siblings and that meant I had lots of cousins. It was always a pitch-in and to call it a feast was an understatement. Beautiful memories! We celebrate with family and loved ones now, knowing they are a foretaste of God’s redemption still to come.
As believers, we look forward to a heavenly feast hosted by God! And, in Narnia, all creatures look forward to a feast hosted by Aslan!
Questions for Reflection:
• What would be set on the table if God were to “spread a table in the wilderness” for you? Make a list of foods, beverages, and decorations.
— Steak; prime rib, sweet red wine; sweet flaky crescent rolls, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, cheesecake; german-chocolate cake…fine white china, fine silverware, crystal goblets, fine linens. Of course, none of this will matter compared to being with God!
• What are holiday family meals like for you? Do tension, celebration, creation and grace play equal roles? Are there ways you could bring more grace to meals in your family?
— In the past, filled with family. Balance is good for the soul. Don’t wait for special occasions to share a meal with friends and family; make time for friends and family, make them feel special by sharing a meal or conversation with them, now that’s something special.
Christmas Adam is a colloquialism for the day before Christmas Eve or December 23rd. It is a rather new term. An online slang dictionary created a listing for it only nine years ago. Christmas Adam is not listed in any formal dictionaries and we had a hard time finding formal writing examples of its use.
The general consensus of the origin of the name is that in anticipation for Christmas to come, people were looking for a name for the day before Christmas Eve. Some were calling the 23rd Christmas Eve Eve. Then someone (or more likely several someones) realized that in Christian mythology God created Adam before he created Eve, so the day before Christmas Eve would be Christmas Adam.
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”
Follow along with chapter 10 in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”
In our story, Edmund is with the White Witch and he is having second thoughts about his betrayal to the creatures of Narnia and of his siblings. He’s cold and hungry and has only been offered stale bread to eat; not even a small slice of Turkish Delight. Edmund feels like a prisoner and it appears doubtful that the White Witch will made him a king. Edmund’s observation has shown that the White Witch’s castle is sparsely decorated with only a few furs for warmth, nothing else for luxury, pleasure or comfort. The castle was more of a cold and empty tomb.
The White Witch is now aware that Aslan is on the move, she along with her dwarf and Edmund jostle over the snow in her sleigh in search for Peter, Susan and Lucy. During their search, they stumble across a small group of small forest creatures seated at a Christmas supper table in the middle of the woods. The aroma from their tiny feast smelled so delicious and made Edmund so very hungry. It turns out that Father Christmas had given them the feast. At the very presence of the White Witch she turns the entire supper party to stone! The White Witch was furious to hear celebrating; she knows this is a sign pointing to the end of her reign. At the same time she is also indignant at the existence of a feast at all. The Witch says in a harsh manner, “What is the meaning of all this gluttony, this waste, this self-indulgence?” She thought a feast was a waste, no matter what it celebrates.
Matthew 8:11
“I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,”
Mark 14:25
“Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
The kingdom of God is a place of truth, honesty and uprightness but also a place of delicious meals, physical comforts and elaborate beauty. Advent is a time of repentance and waiting, and it is also a time to celebrate the goodness of God and His creation. I pray you embrace the beauty and richness of the created world God has give me to us.
Questions for Reflection:
• In Christianity, both fasting and feasting have been traditional spiritual practices. Have you ever considered that “feasting” in Advent or at Christmas could be a celebration of the coming of Christ rather than just an indulgence or lapse in your diet?
• Why is being a miser, like the White Witch, counter to love and grace of God in Christ?
“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
When speaking of armor, many will automatically think of warfare protection. All the items pictured above are essential for soldiers: Belts; Breast plate/Bullet Proof Vest; Shoes; Shield/Protection; Helmet/Head Gear; Sword/Knife/Weapon. When we read the words from Paul in Ephesians, we see the warfare articles explained and are encouraged to fight with TRUTH,RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, SCRIPTURE, and the GOSPEL.
Advent seems like an odd time to talk about armor and warfare; as Advent is a time we celebrate: HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE. Advent is preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus, preparing a way for Christ to the world. This preparation is usually done in churches and communities around the world but due to the COVID-19 Pandemic it is challenging this season of Advent. Challenging it is but many have stepped up to the task at hand by using platforms like; Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook, Twitter, Parler, WordPress, and so many others to bring people together and share the love of God.
The battles Paul described in Ephesians and using the full armor of God are against “the wiles of the devil” and “the rulers, the authorities, cosmic powers of this present darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” ~Ephesians 6:11-12. God does not make us to look like a bunch of medieval knights, nor did He chose the following to be knights either; an old man and his wife traveling across the desert (Abraham/Sarah/Hagar); a sly kid who tricks his older brother out of a birthright (Jacob/Esau); a prisoner interpreting dreams (Joseph); a young woman agreeing to sacrifice her reputation and possibly her fiancée because God ask her to carry a child out of wedlock (Mary/Joseph). *See scripture references below.
Father Christmas did not bestow on the children all the same weapons of spiritual and physical defense but according to each child’s virtue. Likewise, God does the same for each of us. God’s anointing of such gifts comes from virtues such as: faith, cleverness, wisdom or humility. These gifts are to help us stand, stand firm and be prepared to proclaim the gospel of peace. We are to shine the light into places of darkness and sin in our world, stand against injustices. Are you ready? What is your calling? Some people are called to stand up at a protest; some are called to serve on boards at businesses and schools, some deliver speeches, other deliver meals while others share their financial resources with charities and their local communities. It’s not about big parts or little parts, not about a lot of money or no money; it is about using our time and talents for sharing the love and peace of God.
Photo: Gatlinburg, TN on December 14th, 2020
Take the armor God has given you seriously and prepare the way of the Lord, that “all the ends of the earth shall/will see the salvation of our God.” ~Isaiah 52:10
Questions for Reflection:
• What “battles” or causes need to be fought for in your town, neighborhood, or workplace? What issue is important enough to you to fight for it?
• What weapons or armor has God given you to stand against injustice or evil in your community?
Dear friends, Christmas is nearing quickly, are you ready?
Peter, Susan, Lucy and Mr. & Mrs. Beaver meet Father Christmas; He may look similar to Santa Claus, but he is more acutely like Jesus. He’s dressed in a red fur trimmed coat, long white beard, has a sleigh, and delivers gifts. He does not eat lots of cookies or laugh with a “HoHoHo” like a bowl full of jelly. C.S.Lewis writes this about Father Christmas; “He was so big, and so glad, and so real, that all became quite still. They felt very glad, but also solemn.”
“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” ~Clement Clarke Moore’
In the Bible we read that John the Baptist, announces Jesus’ coming and prepares the people for His ministry. ~Luke 3:3-4
River Stone Resort & Spa in Pigeon Forge, TN on December 15th, 2020
Father Christmas comes to the children and gives them gifts to use to help conquer the White Witch, to be active participants in Aslan’s return. The gifts were given to each child uniquely and given according to their individual personalities and talents. Just as God, purposely created each human with specific talents to further His Kingdom and for each of us to become the person we were created to be. I love the phrase that is often used in church and in sermons, “using our time and our talents.”
Are you ready for Christmas?
Are you ready for Jesus’ birth?
Both of these are joy filled events and they both require courage. Be courageous in all you do and do it with a heart filled with goodness, gladness, kindness, love and HOPE!
Questions for Reflection:
• Which of Father Christmas’s gifts to the children are you most drawn o? How might that gift match your own gifts and talents, the way God has called you to help bring the good news of God’s love into the world?
— The medicine given to Lucy for healing.
• Why do you think Father Christmas has no gift for Edmund, even for his siblings to hold on to fit him, when later in the novel, he’s redeemed and joins in the fight?
— Edmund needs to repent and be redeemed by Aslan, only then will Edmund be ready to fully understand Narnia and it’s rich history and see his full potential and be reunited with his siblings.
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”
Quote is from Chapter 8 “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”
Hello & Welcome to another Advent entry of “Advent in Narnia.” How are you feeling after reading the scripture verses for today and reading chapter 8? Lucy asks an interesting question after learning that Aslan is a Lion. “Is he safe?” a logical question indeed for a child. Mr. Beaver’s reply is, “Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s a king.” After all, he is a Lion and they can be very ferocious! What about the verses from Malachi, it’s not your typical “Christmas “ story of sweet baby Jesus in a stable manger. At this stage in my life, I appreciate the pretty picture of Jesus’ birth but in reality, it was not pretty, it was not clean, not a sterile environment, no comforts, and definitely no epidurals(!). There’s a song I keep hearing on the radio that touches me heart each time I hear it and I am thankful I have the pretty visual of Jesus’ birth and now a more truthful one as well. I posted it in an earlier blog post but want to include it here for you as well…
Malachi describes a messenger of judgment, an avenging angel, and in Narnia a ferocious Lion. But, the more we read, study and learn, the messengers mission is not to avenge and punish but to purify and restore. If you have ever witnessed how precious metals are refined you know it is labor intense. When purification of wool or other textiles, the process includes harsh soaps and whitening procedures . The end results of these refinements reveals priceless things. This is true with dealing with human behaviors and addictions, reconciliation can only be achieved after much change and refinement. God does not want to punish us, He loves us and He only wants what’s best for us.
Mary and Joseph had difficult circumstances arise from the announcement of Mary’s pregnancy, to traveling while in her third trimester, the shadows of judgment from her family and friends but Mary and Joseph pressed on and had faith that God was in charge. The cost was high to be the parents of Jesus, each struggle prepared them for each challenge they would face in the future.
Jesus’ second coming…I am not sure what your experiences in church have been, mine…I heard a lot of “hell fire & brimstone” sermons growing up. Looking back it seems like a “scared straight” campaign. I believe religion just like everything else in this world cycles, in the 1970’s and 1980’s, many churches were preaching of Jesus’ return, I believe the hearts of ministers were in the right places but I would have appreciated a more balanced approach to learning about Jesus and His return. Perhaps a bit more love and compassion with the hell fire/brimstone. It seems like the past decade many sermons I hear are about love and compassion, almost too sweet and syrupy, little depth. The truth as I see it, you may or may not agree is that Jesus is all…brimstone, love and compassion. His return will be glorious and fearsome. Some good questions to ask ourselves would be; will it hurt? will it cost anything? how much will it cost? Jesus and Aslan are both good and they are both Kings.
Waiting for Jesus’ second coming is both exhausting and frightfully exciting. We want to be ready and we need to stay present in the day being alive, as we want to be Christ’s beloved.
Questions for Reflection:
•Do you think much about the second coming? What’s it like to imagine Jesus’ returning one day as a reality, rather than as described by a movie plot or fringe religious sect?
— Yes. Both exciting and terrifying;
• What in you might be in need of “refining”? How might it hurt? How might it be a relief?
— Everything, it’s a daily renewing. I accept I am human, fallible and sinful. I believe God loves me and created me. I seek to become the person He knows I was purposely made to be.
• Is it more challenging for you to imagine Christ as a dangerous bringer of judgment or as a loving, merciful redeemer? Why do you think that is?
— Based upon my background and sermons I’ve heard through the years I accept that both are true.
Photo: Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, TN on Monday, December 14th, 2020
God’s Covenant With David
2 Samuel 7:1-16
“Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.”
Greetings friends—
Our story and devotional today is about a commonality between the House of David and the Witch Witch’s castle in Narnia. Both would eventually erode and fall apart. When speaking of the “House” and the “castle” out thoughts may lead us to a physical building, stone or wooden. The castle, was cold and made from ice, just like everything else in Narnia was frozen. And, what happens to ice when the sun shines upon it (?), it melts and breaks apart. And although David’s House was a real concrete place, what God meant was that David and all of Israel are a house and a throne for God(self). As we celebrate Advent, Jesus’ birth, Jesus became the house. In Jewish history, the Temple was called God’s house and even today many refer to the church as God’s house, both are true. As we discussed yesterday, Jesus when praying at the Passover referred to his body as the new Temple.
John 2:18-22
“The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.”
Paul writes this in the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” Another example is in John 15:4, “Abide in me as I abide in you.” Jesus said these words and was referencing that each of us is a house for God.
C.S.Lewis quotes George MacDonald in his book, “Mere Christianity” and it sums up and explains in great detail how God is truly abiding with and in us. Beautifully stated, in my humble opinion. *See reference below.
Switching back to our story “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” I believe the children were able to see what Narnia once was and could be again, from the stories/prophecies told by Mr. & Mrs. Beaver and Mr. Tumnus. The children joined Team Aslan. We too, have a choice of which team we want to represent, Team God/Jesus/Holy Spirit or the other team that has already proven unworthy and untrustworthy by falling from Heaven.
Questions for Reflection:
• Churches are meant to be safe and inviting places to encounter and deepen our relationships with God. How is your church living out it’s ministry as a house for God and God’s people? How could you play more of a role in that ministry?
— I am saddened by the empty churches since the COVID-19 pandemic is still soaring around the world. People are suffering, suffering from disconnectedness with friends and family and their communities of faith. I see first hand families that are suffering from depression and isolation. I continue to financially support my church but connection is difficult, we are all suffering, ministers and congregants alike. Prayer helps and knowing that God is always near is good for the soul but honestly, nothing changes a persons like a strong handshake, a full body hug, the touch of someone’s hand. These are the things that I miss and yearn for; as I know others do as well. I am deeply concerned for myself, my friends, my family, my colleagues, my church, my job, my financial future, the direction our country may be heading towards. I have more good days than bad, so I try not to beat myself up too much when I’m feeling down and more importantly, I try to be mindful of others having a not so good day. This is the time when we all need more patience , more understanding and more KINDNESS!
• Using the quotation from C.S.Lewis/George MacDonald, reflect on ways that God is building you into a palace for God(self)?
— I am reminded that God is merciful, slow to anger, full of love, eternal life, living, and everlasting.
DISCOVER 
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