Advent in Narnia: Reflections for the Season

"Walking into Advent can be like walking through the wardrobe."

With its enchanting themes of snow and cold, light and darkness, meals and gifts, temptation and sin, forgiveness and hope--and even an appearance by Father Christmas--C. S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe fits naturally into the Advent season. As the reader seeks a storied king and anticipates the glorious coming of Christmas, these twenty-eight devotions alternate between Scripture and passages from the novel to prompt meditation on Advent themes. Each devotion also includes questions for reflection. The book also provides several resources for churches, including four sessions for small group discussion and ideas for creating a "Narnia Night" for families. Readers will ultimately come to know God better while journeying through Narnia.

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My Thoughts:

If you love C.S. Lewis' Narnia, you will probably enjoy this Advent Devotional based on The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe book of the collection.  It is divided into four weeks, or four sessions - The Wardrobe, The Witch, Father Christmas, and The Lion. As you read each daily devotional there may or may not be a suggestion for a chapter of the book to be read along with it. Several of the devotionals correspond with the same chapter, and occasionally you may skip a chapter. It is based more on the theme itself, than on a consecutive reading through the book. It can also be used along with the movie as instructed in the Group Study Sessions in the back. 

Personally, I felt like this book was more of a reflection inspired by the country and characters in Narnia. It got me thinking and meditating on the purpose of Christmas and the things that can stand in our way or keep us from celebrating with a heart focused on Christ. I enjoyed the allegories, the follow up questions and the devotional read. At times it can be intense and thought provoking, especially the self-focus part. But that, to me, is what Advent is about - not just preparing for the baby Jesus, but preparing our hearts for His return and reflecting on the current condition of our heart. 

I believe this book can be used in a variety of ways, family devotions, individual study, or group study. You may just have to adjust the information accordingly depending on how deep you want to go. There is a group study guide in the back with information on how to use the book and movie along with this devotional, questions, and much more. Included is also a Narnia Night you could tone down for family use, or go all out for a night at church. There is also a recipe, and other useful information. I think as long as a person uses this book with an open mind, it will be helpful and encouraging. If you have some preconceived notion as to what you expect, you may be disappointed. Personally, I got this book for a family Advent, as my son has read and enjoyed this whole Narnia Series and I thought this would be an interesting new way to celebrate Advent.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher to review. All opinions are my own, and I was not asked to review positively.