'Always winter but never Christmas.' So Mr Tumnus the Fawn famously describes the imaginary world of Narnia, under the spell of the wicked White Witch, in C.S. Lewis's classic, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lewis died sixty years ago this winter, but his Chronicles of Narnia series continues to captivate young and old with their stories of good and evil, betrayal and forgiveness, bravery, friendship, and above all, hope.
As we look around the world today, it isn't hard to see why. Our hearts break at the latest news pouring out of the Middle East - both the humanitarian tragedies on the ground, as well as the wider implications politically in an already extremely volatile region. The savage war in Ukraine shows no sign of stopping. And closer to home, the cost-of-living crisis continues to squeeze us all, some to the point of suffocation. Global temperatures might be on the rise, but for many, life feels more like the winter chills have firmly set in.
But Christmas will come. As it does - spoiler alert - in Narnia, with the arrival of Aslan the Lion, to begin to dispel the wintry gloom. C.S. Lewis was unashamed that Aslan represented Jesus Christ. His coming into our world, at the very first Christmas, two thousand years ago, began to dispel the wintry gloom of a broken and hurting world. He continues to do so today, the world over.
Little wonder the nation's favourite carol is O Holy Night, by John Sullivan Dwight.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees!
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born.
On behalf of Highfields Church, we'd love to invite you to one of our many Christmas services this year. With my very best wishes for 2024.
Dave
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