Have you been into the wardrobe?

April 14th, 2008 Alicia

When The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe previews started a few years ago, I thought that it would be a great opportunity to introduce my step-daughter, Malin (who was in second grade at the time), to this series.  Little did I know what a wonderful experience reading the books would turn out to be…for both of us! 

I remembered the idea of reading the series as a young girl, but to be honest, I did not really remember many details about any of the stories.  I knew they were supposed to be good, but that is about it.  Oh, and something about how the lion was symbolic of Jesus…not much to go on.  

Before The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe came to the theatres, I wanted Malin to experience the book.  And, I was kind of curious about it myself.  We were both instantly hooked!  As we read, I also began to recognize the symbolism in the characters and events.  I struggled not to over explain anything and let Malin make her own discoveries.  The most memorable moment of this whole experience came when the lion volunteered himself to the witch in place of Edwin.  Malin stopped reading, looked at me, and said, “The lion is like Jesus!”  It brought tears to my eyes…and still does!  She got it!  She understood!  And, even more, she was touched.  It was not this event alone in the story that did it.  Rather, it was the story as a whole that, I truly believe, brought a reality of Jesus’ love and ultimate sacrifice to Malin that she had not yet grasped.  Even now it is difficult for her, or any of us for that matter, to fully understand that concept.  But I know it made it that much more real for her.

That is what makes this series so special.  Lewis takes the love and miracles of God, such an abstract notion to children, and turns them into stories that make such concepts almost tangible!  I am not saying that the stories in the Bible don’t do this, because they most certainly do.  But, isn’t that what we strive to do each day?  Find age appropriate ways to help our children make connections between God, the Bible, and what is real and understandable in their hearts and minds.  Each story does just that.  And, as a second grader, Malin got it.  As a fourth grader, she still loves the stories.  As an adult, I do too!

This is one of those books you don’t want to see end (adult or child)…I was so sad when it did.       

I do not want to ruin the rest of the story for those of you who have not read or seen it.  Instead, I hope that you will take some time to read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, or watch the movie, as a family and see what questions and discussions arise. 

From there, I suggest Prince Caspian…maybe even in time to finish the book before the movie comes out…

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