The Wonder of Hope

The following thoughts are from yesterday’s sermon regarding “Hope”, the light at the end of the tunnel. The concept is translated well in “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis. Many have written about the concepts found in these chronicles. I recommend you start with the first book “The Magicians Nephew” and follow that with “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” and you will be hooked to read the rest.

In this series of fantasy stories, Lewis introduces us to four children who find their way into a wondrous land through the back of a magical wardrobe in their uncle’s house. It is called Narnia and it is a kingdom where animals talk and where Kings and Queens govern from tower-filled castles.

When the children first enter this land they discover that it is under the control of the wicked White Witch who rules with an iron fist and a cold heart. One of the children, Lucy, meets a faun named Mr. Tumnus. He describes the White Witch to Lucy by saying, “Why it is she that has got all of Narnia under her thumb. It’s she that makes it always winter. Always winter and...NEVER CHRISTMAS; think of that!” “...always winter....and never Christmas...”
That can really be a dismal thought. Has life ever seemed that way to you?.....like one long winter of cold, snow-covered ground, trees with leaf-less branches, constantly clouded skies....with no Christmas....nothing to look forward to....no light of hope?

All people thirst for hope in life. It is what keeps us going. When we are trapped in a tunnel of misery, hope points to the light at the end. When we are over-worked and exhausted, hope give us fresh energy. When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going. When we lose our way and confusion blurs the destination, hope dulls the edge of panic. When life forces us to sit back and wait, hope give us the patience to trust. As Charles Swindoll says, “When life hurts and dreams fade, nothing helps like hope.” Webster defines hope as, “Desire accompanied by expectation of, or belief in, fulfillment.”

Hope is a “Vital Expectation!” We need it to survive. Without it, prisoners of war languish and die. Students get discouraged and drop out of school. Without this expectation, addicts return to their habits. Marriage partners decide to divorce. Inventors, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and even preachers, lose their creativity. You see, hope isn’t merely a nice option that helps us temporarily clear a hurdle that we encounter on life’s road. Hope is essential to our survival.

Christmas reminds us that hopes can come true.

Life is NOT always “winter”. In The Chronicles of Narnia Jesus Christ is represented by a huge lion named ASLAN. And at the beginning of the chronicles it is always winter in Narnia because ASLAN has not been seen in the land for generations. But when ASLAN comes (and He does....about a third of the way through the first book) Christmas comes and spring begins again. Father Christmas appears and he brings gifts to the children, tools they will need in their fight against the White Witch and as he is driving his sleigh away he cries, “Merry Christmas! And long live the TRUE King!”

In this story C. S. Lewis reminds us why Christmas is so special. At this time of year we celebrate the truth that there is hope! The True King has been born!

Happy Reading!