Have you been into the wardrobe?
April 14th, 2008 Alicia Posted in Children's Ministry |
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…
April 15th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I have a Narnia moment to share as well! In Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the story of Eustace. Eustace was real pain to all the other people in the story, and at one point he is transformed into a dragon. After living that way for a while, he begins to feel sorry for the way he treated the others and truly repents of what he did. He then tries to scratch the dragon scales off his own body, and yet he can’t get them to come off. Finally Aslan comes and digs his claws deep into the scales until they are finally shed. Aslan then cleans Eustace and gives him new clothes.
I was reading that to my fourth-grader a few weeks ago. I always choke up a little when I read that, and I asked him if he knew what it meant. Without flinching or hesitation, he said, “Yes, the scales were his sin, and Aslan took them away.” Wow! That was his first reading of the book, and he got it so clearly. Despite Eustace’s efforts, he couldn’t take away his own sin, it took Aslan to take his sins away, just like it takes Jesus’ death to take ours away.
I have often said it was the Chronicles of Narnia that got me through junior high. I’m so glad my son wants me to read them. We’ve made it all the way through The Silver Chair, and we start The Last Battle tonight! I hope my voice holds out so I can read to him!
April 16th, 2008 at 10:16 am
My favorite Narnia line is early in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe when Mr. and Mrs. Beaver are telling the children about the lion, Aslan (the Christ figure). Susan is rather shocked to learn that he is a real, untamed lion and says something like “Is he quite safe?” Mrs. Beaver says something like “Safe?! Haven’t you heard what I’ve been telling you? Of course he’s not safe! But he’s good!”
Love that line. And, if I remember correctly, she follows it up with “He’s the King.”
April 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
If you’re reading this blog, and you’ve read The Chronicles of Narnia, why not share your own ideas about it? I’d especially love to read about how kids respond to the stories or how you’ve seen Lewis’ stories made real in your own life. Just an idea:) Our pastor used an excerpt from The Chronicles in our wedding. Maybe I’ll write about it if more people respond. Let’s get blogging!