It's one of those damp, dreary west-coast days when it never quite gets light, so it was a great delight to create a cosy, festive Narnia-themed space for those able to share our first reflection.  Focussing on the start of the story, with Lucy going through the wardrobe and meeting Mr Tumnus under the lamppost, we were inivted to ponder something of what Advent means for us, and the role of repentance, a traditional Advent theme.

Because we used a film clip as part of our input, it's tricky to share the material here.  However, if you have a copy of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, you read chapters 1 and 2 to get a feel for the story.  If by some strange chance you have the DVD of the BBC version, then Epsiode 1 starting at 8mins 55 secs and continuing to 12 mins 26 secs should do the trick!

Here is the Biblical material and 'pondering questions' we used in case anyone finds them useful...

John 10: 7 – 9

Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

Revelation 3: 15 - 22

‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

Isaiah 9: 2 – 6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 1: 5

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

Time to Ponder

• What makes Advent special for you? Why is this?
• Lucy went through a door and discovered a whole new world. Jesus claims to be a gate (or door) for the sheep – what adventures might that lead to?
• Repentance is traditionally a major theme in Advent, what thoughts are stirred for you by the action of Mr Tumnus or by the Bible readings?
• The lamppost in Narnia shines on no matter what, a metaphor with clear echoes of Christ as the light of the world.       What lampposts are there in our own inner worlds? How can light shine in dark places this Advent?