In the story by CS Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (which if you haven't read, you really must!) there is a white witch who reigned for awhile as the false Queen of Narnia. She used her powers to make the land of Narnia, "always winter and never Christmas" but when Aslan (the Lion and the True King) returned and was on the move, Father Christmas appeared with gifts for the children, the snow began to melt, and Spring was in the air! Father Christmas gave the children gifts they would need for the battle they were in, and the ones they would continue to face. Aslan was the true king, and the children were learning that victory and peace would reign in Narnia with his return.
In the Cozy Christmas Cottage, the words of Jesus in John 16:33, took on new meaning to me, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." I saw these words through the lens of Narnia, and the thought came to me, that in this world, for now, it is in many ways, always winter. But it is also always Christmas! Because Jesus has overcome, and he has given us the gifts we need for the battles we face!
Jesus says to his followers, Take Heart! Aslan says to Lucy, Courage, Dear Heart!
These thoughts of Jesus' words and Narnia emphasized my focus on Christmas, and the comfort and joy and hope and peace and lavish love we know and will always know, because of Jesus. This comfort and joy and hope and peace and lavish love is ours now, whatever the season, while we are in time, and when there is no time, then forever! There is trouble in this world, but Jesus has overcome! In our winter, because of Jesus, there is always Christmas!
