In this Issue:

Nativity, Maysville, moves forward undr Kibler, Kilbourn-Huey

Episcopal Church Breaks ground for a new building

Lewis and Narnia: Episcopal Heritage

Seed Planting

Out of Deep Waters: Second line brings new life to New Orleans

Commentaries

From the Bishop: The Yearnings of our hearts

Reflection: ...and Christmas comes once more

X-ercizing: Packing and unpacking Christmas

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

Lewis and Narnia: Episcopal heritage

By The Rev. Canon Johnnie Ross

“…Aslan is on the move – and perhaps has already landed,” says Mr. Beaver. The Season of Advent has long been a season of preparing and waiting for the coming of the Christ. In his coming he meets us in the present. As we wait, we prepare to meet a King who will bring reconciliation, forgiveness, resurrection, and transformation, when in fact the King is already here!

Friday night in Prestonsburg found me, my family, and a handful of Episcopalians from St. James at the Strand Theater to view The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Throughout the season of Christmas and Epiphany we will be having discussions about the movie, C.S. Lewis, and our faith. The beginning discussions are planned to take place in my living room as Kay and I play host to an evening that will begin much like Lucy’s first visit with Mr. Tumnus. Gathered round a fire in the fireplace, with fl ute music playing softly in the background, we will gather our thoughts and begin to talk about the movie and our faith.

For us as Episcopalians, this movie offers an opportunity that the Passion of the Christ did not, for Lewis’s story, theology, and prayer book is ours! I hope our discussions will be about that faith and heritage. I hope it will be about the faith of the beavers and many others in Narnia, the hope of the prophecy, and the deeper magic. Theirs was a faith that the beavers and others were willing to fight for – as should we. For the deep roots of Anglicanism is recognized here only in the Episcopal Church.

I hope we will talk about sacrifice, transformation, reconciliation, and resurrection – the deeper magic that existed before the world began – the magic that brings Aslan back to life and the sacrifice that spared the life of Edmund – the first traitor and later King Edmund the Just. I hope we will discuss transformation in the way it is portrayed in the movie – something that occurs a little at a time. The thaw that begins with the birds singing, the trees sprout, then blossom, the Great River begins to fl ow, coats are shed and clothing more appropriate for the season is worn. Transformation that occurs over time has a lasting impact and makes reconciliation possible.

I hope we get the chance to discuss deception and devotion – what was first thought about the fox, the initial kindness and hospitality of Mr. Tumnus and the darkness of his intentions. I hope we will discuss the devotion of Aslan’s people, particularly the devotion of Lucy and Susan – the two children that touched his mane and walked with him to what Aslan must have thought to be his final act. I hope we will discuss the devotion the girls had that lasted the entire night, beyond Aslan’s life into his death – a discussion of Lucy and Susan at the Stone Table, their attempts to attend to Aslan’s body, the fact that they stayed the night, the work of the mice, and what they must have thought feeling the earthquake, seeing the stone table broken, and then later seeing Aslan. What did it mean for Susan and Lucy to have Aslan carry them.

I hope we will discuss Aslan breathing on the stone statues and them coming to life. The potion Lucy carries to heal. The horn given to Susan with the admonition to blow it whenever there is trouble and help will come.

I hope we discuss a small, seemingly insignificant scene near the end of the movie where Lucy returns to the spare room, approaches the Wardrobe, and finds the professor sitting in the window sill… for the adventures in Narnia are not just for the young.

Finally, I hope that not only will we discuss and see the movie again and again, but I hope you will too! For “they say Aslan is on the move – and perhaps has already landed.” The Chronicles of Narnia opened Dec. 9 and is significant to our particular theology and our particular faith.

Advocate Online Staff:

© 2005 The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington

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