Ode To Narnia

October 16, 2023

Melissa Valerio

On October 16, 1950, the classic novel “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis was published. The story of four siblings named Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy who find their way into the fantasy land of Narnia through a wardrobe in an old mansion. Not surprisingly, as C.S. Lewis was a devout follower of Christ, the story parallels the gospel story. I would get taste of it the summer of 1985.
 

When I was 9 years old, to help fill the long summer days with a bit of imagination, we used to take weekly trips to the library and stock up on all kinds of stories. Right after lunchtime, my brother and I would nestle down on the living room floor and ready ourselves for another story from the wonderful world of fiction. One summer, rather than read a book in silence, my mother decided to read a book to us. A book she had selected. All we needed to do was relax, close our eyes, open our ears, and let the land of Narnia take shape right before us. 
 

Of course, I had no idea what the story behind the story was all about back then. I simply loved the detailed descriptions of the Narnians and creatures that were half man, half goat. The adventures the children went on and the good friends they met along the way. I had no clue we were dealing with Jesus versus Satan and the powers behind good and evil. It wouldn’t be until later in life that I would understand the reason Aslan chose to die in place of Edmund. I wish it would have registered all those years ago. I wish I would have paid special attention to those details rather than what the talking Beaver may have looked like. But…that’s a 9-year-old for you. Easily amused with the simple things. However, now that I’m older, I totally understand the story. I see the similarities between myself and Edmund, the brother that betrayed his siblings. I see the act of love that Jesus committed on my behalf to free me from the grip of Satan, just as Aslan did for Edmund. It’s all clear now. It may have taken 35 years to get, but I finally understand the story my mom read to us all those years ago. Thank you, Mom, for planting those seeds in me as a child 🙂 

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for the clever ways You get Your Word inside of us. Open our eyes, ears, mind, and heart to receive You and Your message. Thank You for Your extreme patience as we grow into the knowledge of You. No good thing will You withhold from us. In the precious name of Your son, Amen. 

Action: Watch the 2005 Walt Disney movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe”. View it with fresh eyes. Take note of the similarities between the movie and the message of the cross.