The Lion in the Winter
C.S. Lewis's Narnia Prepares Us for Christmas and the Liturgical Year
Over the years, I have encountered the words and world of C.S. Lewis’s stories again and again. I first found Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a young reader anticipating the film adaptation, which is now nearly two decades old. I carried on this appreciation of “Jack” at Jesuit with Mr. Reuther and Dr. Delahoussaye as well as in college. As a proud bibliophile, I hold Lewis up as my most reread author. While we find ourselves within Advent, a busy end to the semester for students, faculty, and staff, and an encroaching Christmas holiday, Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, especially Chapter Ten of his original book, can provide us with celebration, courage, and comfort as we enter both a new calendar and liturgical year.
During this time of year, we may find ourselves as three of the four Pevensie children do: rushing to accomplish a task in the face of adversity. We may not be avoiding an evil queen whom we are prophesied to dethrone, but the energy of exam week comes close. The temptation to get caught up in work can detract from the important factors of our lives. Much like students following a week of studying, the children find themselves face to face with Father Christmas by surprise. Children everywhere await the arrival of Santa on Christmas, but the Pevensies realize that this iteration of Father Christmas, “so big, and so glad, and so real,” shows that their hard work to break the White Witch’s spell is creating positive change. Lewis’s Father Christmas feels authentic to his realm of Narnia because he wears the traditional red and white attire but commands a solemn presence necessary for the coming of our Lord. Lewis is clear that Father Christmas is a part of the Narnian world. His arrival into the story gives cause for celebration as well as a further step on the children’s trek to restore Narnia to its proper state.
We must be prepared to battle sin as Peter does, but we should also be equipped to humble ourselves before God and our neighbors if we are in need like Susan.
While Father Christmas is a welcome surprise on the Pevensies’ journey, he comes for a crucial purpose. After greeting the children, he declares: “These are your presents, and they are tools not toys. The time to use them is perhaps near at hand. Bear them well.” In this same way, Christ’s birth at Christmas is a joyful occasion, but it requires that we partake in religious preparation as much as putting up lights and a tree in our home. Peter receives a sword and shield emblazoned with a lion representing Aslan, the one true king of Narnia, and Susan is granted a mighty horn to call for reinforcements. Despite her status as the youngest of the Pevensie children, Lucy receives the crucial gift of a healing potion. Each of these gifts serves a dual purpose in the narrative; Lewis combines the fantastical battles of Narnia with the spiritual battles of our own souls. Through Christ’s birth, we are called not only to celebrate but to take up metaphorical arms in His name. Every child’s gift has a distinct side to our faith in action following Christ’s incarnation. We must be prepared to battle sin as Peter does, but we should also be equipped to humble ourselves before God and our neighbors if we are in need like Susan. Lucy’s gift is equally resonant as we ought to help others. In this brief yet critical episode, Lewis shows his characters donning the armor of God in the wake of Christ’s coming at Christmas. Likewise, it is necessary for each of us to defend our faith with courage as well as compassion as we celebrate the Lord’s birth and the new year of the Church.
As thrilling and exciting as this passage is, Lewis chooses to end it not on a moment of heroic glory but one of simple companionship with others. Father Christmas’s last gift to the Pevensies and the Beavers, their temporary guardians, is a teapot with five cups and saucers ready to be shared. Even with the important spiritual battle ahead of us, we must take moments to share in love and friendship with those around us. Great tests may lie ahead of us in the year, but Christmas is important to share with others in the glorious coming of Christ. While a few weeks off from school is a welcome break after a long semester, it is just as important as a time to appreciate the blessings we have with friends and family around Christmas. We may not have as much snow in south Louisiana as in Narnia’s long winter, but let us remember the many opportunities for fruitful growth and cheer with others during the Christmas season and the new liturgical year.
Like the journey of the Pevensies, we should recognize that Christmas is a good time not merely to reflect but to look ahead and bolster ourselves spiritually. Between the cramming for exams and Christmas parties, we should be mindful of the year ahead of us full of gifts as well as challenges. Before we celebrate the birth of Christ, be sure to ready your spiritual armor and gifts for His greater glory and even share some tea with friends on a cool day.
