Advent in Narnia: Edmund

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020

Hello friends—

Please accept my apologies for my late posting of today’s advent material. I had a bout with writers block and needed some rest. Reading for today is from chapter 5 of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Today, we will be discussing Edmund, he is one of Lucy’s older brothers. He is often getting poked at by his older siblings, Peter and Susan. Edmund also does his fair share of poking at his younger sister Lucy. Edmund often feels left out or left behind and unappreciated causing him to lash out at others. In my own personal life, I have found that it is to those we care the most for, that we hurt the most severely. I’m sure there’s some physiological reasoning behind that but I’m not skilled to present that case. So far in the Narnia story Edmund has managed all alone to cause great fear throughout all of Narnia not to mention the safety of his siblings. Edmund, lies and betrays Lucy, and when he is found out his recourse is to plot revenge. I too, find that I have had thoughts and actions just as Edmund. Not that I’m proudly telling you this, but sharing my personal struggles with you. None of us are perfect, no not one. Sin is sin! There’s a saying I learned from a friend, “naming and claiming” and that’s exactly what I’m doing. When we admit out loud things we are sorry for and are remorseful about the power they have over us is lifted. Carrying such burdens are cumbersome and unnecessary. Healing and forgiveness can only occur after we release their hold on us. Try the ARF approach:

1. Admission (self, others, God)

2. Repentance (self, others, God)

3. Forgiveness (self, others, God)

Romans 5:6-8

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”

Edmund does not realize the error of his ways (actions), until it’s too late. He finds himself in the castle of the White Witch and only then does he see clearly the ramifications of his actions and ultimate decision. Edmund was clearly guilty of dishonesty, selfishness and betrayal. Human. Each of us has a bit of Edmund inside us, as in the book, we are the sons and daughters of Adam. And, in the Bible, we are all descendants of Adam and Eve and of Abraham, all created by God for His glory. We are all human, just like Edmund and regardless of what we’ve done the prophet Isaiah wrote these words, “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~Isaiah 9:6. Then in the New Testament in the Gospel of Luke we read these words, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.”Luke 3:8 (ESV)

Acts 17:26-28

“From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we too are his offspring.’”

Questions for Reflection:

• What are some ways that you identify with Edmund? Do you see in yourself his desire for revenge, his anger, his loneliness and his feeling of being unlikeable?

—Honestly, I do relate to Edmund. What I have learned is that I need to like myself if I ever hope for others to like me. I try to foster the feelings I long for in my relationships with others. My friends and family are very precious to me and I spend time getting to know them and the things they enjoy, this is definitely something I do in a reciprocal manner. I consider myself wealthy in friends, and I have a close inner circle of friends I share my deepest thoughts with, they are priceless individuals who have seen my at worst and continue to love and support me. God is good, God is indeed Good All The Time! 🙏🏻🤍

• Have you ever betrayed someone you loved? What happened? Have you experienced reconciliation, either with the person or with God?

—I have and it still hurts today. I have completed the ARF (Admission/Repentance/Forgiven). Broken relationships take time to heal and often they are never the same. Rebuilding trust is a gradual process and honesty indeed is paramount. My best advice is to trust God and follow your heart. I’ve met some extraordinary people in my life and I thought we would be friends forever, some have but others, well I have a heart filled with their memories.

• Part of preparing our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child is reflecting on our past mistakes, betrayals and sins. Write a letter to God confessing some of your most difficult wrongdoing. If you carry an especially difficult sin on your heart, consider asking to meet with your pastor or priest or religious leader. Perhaps seek the rite of reconciliation if that is something your faith tradition makes provisions for.

~Peace~Charlotte

References:

http://www.biblegateway.com/