In a Castle by the Sea

Here written are the names of the kings and queens of Narnia who vanquished the army of the White Witch:

Queen Lucy, called the Valiant. How true it is that this young queen and healer should have such a name. Though she is small, and frail, none of the Pevensie's love Aslan more than she, and there is no truer friend in all of Narnia. Who more than she could rightly be afraid of harm from the witch or her servants? Yet by trusting Aslan, her fear melts away, and she would be by his side even as he is surrounded by all the armies of hell. This smallest one is indeed the strongest ruler of them all.

King Edmund, called the Just. He is the traitor to his family, bought from the blade of the White Witch with the mane and blood of the Lion. Who better than he knows the demands of justice, or the blessing of mercy? He has shattered the wand that turned men to stone shall become a king of great wisdom and truth. He will deal with the creatures of Narnia as rightly as Aslan dealt with him. Would that every king could have so great and understanding.

Queen Susan, called the Gentle. Always trying to be smart and practical, looking after her self, hesitant to help any creature about her when she first enters Narnia. Yet with the tears she shed over Aslan's shaved and shamed body, her stoniness was broken. Who knows compassion greater than she who has seen it lived out before her eyes in the blood on the stone table? Great is the queen who can set aside the bow and raise her hand to care for the poor creatures of her realm.

King Peter, called the Magnificent. What can be said for this man, once blown about by circumstance, who is now the protector of all Narnia? He was once harsh and sarcastic with his brother and sisters, yet as soon as danger came he accepted responsibility for his error towards Edmund. He is Aslan's man, High King of Narnia, wolfsbane, and dear friend to all who know him. In his rule more than any other, Aslan's kingship is reflected. He is like Aslan's mane, a brilliant and regal symbol of all that the true king should be.

Once a King of Queen in Narnia, always a King or Queen!

Winter is Almost Over

I went to see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe at the premier, but am only now getting around to commenting on it. And really, what could I say? The work of the filmmakers was good, which is to say the screen expressed beauty, honesty, fear, joy, peace, and above all longing. I long to be guided to the camp of the King by a creature, like myself, lowly and faithful; and to stand with my brothers and sisters at the tent when the Lion steps out to meet us, face to face. I long to bend the knee on that great day.

But something that moved me much more than I expected was the coming of Father Christmas. What does the coming of Father Christmas mean?

Standing in the snow, with a hand on his sleigh and his warm breath visible in the muted sunlight, Father Christmas is an angel of hope. His brow is wrinkled, weathered with struggle and waiting. She has kept him back a long time, a long time. For 100 years there has been the Witch's winter, always winter but never Christmas. But as surely as Father Christmas stands before the children, this winter belongs not the the queen of narnia, but to the King. Aslan's thaw has begun. As he visits the woodland creatures, I can imagine him saying something like this:

My dearest of friends, welcome. For all these years she has kept me back, but now the time is at hand. Take these gifts, to celebrate with joy the coming of the Lion to His land. These icy drifts can not muzzle Him, nor shall any craft of the witch. Aslan will seat his kings and queens at Cair Paravel. Tell it too all the woodland creatures; to driads and niads, and all manner of dwarf; shout to all the mountains and lands and stars from here to Aslan's Country: Happy Christmas to all, in the name of Aslan the true King!

That is why I was made weak at the sight of Father Christmas. His presence describes where we are right now, where I am. I cannot see him, and much snow still lays upon the earth. But the Lion, who is not tame, yet is so very good, the Maker of Kings and bringer of the thaw, has come at long last.

Like Butter Scraped Over Too Much Bread

I've just submitted my first graduate school applications, and it scares the hell out of me. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to grad school. But there's something very humbling about the process. No matter how good a face I try to put forward, no matter how I spin my past mistakes or emphasize my accomplishments, I still feel like I am saying "please tell me I am worthy of your program." All of these fancy protocols for admission elevate the prospect of affirmation or rejection to a new level. My pride and ambition are laid bare for complete strangers to see. I know this would be an ideal time to turn my cares over to Christ, but of course it's easier to know that than to really do it.

I am also feeling overwhelmed by the last of my assignments. I am studying for my capstone test tomorrow, which I really have to do well on since my last test was a D. I am also trying to get my senior paper written, which you would think would be easy since I have an outline. It's not. On top of which, I am still desperately hoping to pull an A out of Linear Algebra, although I'm pretty sure that's a lost cause at this point. I guess this is my chance to prove I work well under pressure.

I realize this is a really boring post, so I won't make it drag on. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly the theme of this blog should be. I plan to start one up that's oriented toward economics, but this one needs to be a little more interesting than that. Movie reviews? Axiological musings? My latest Scripture readings? What I made for supper? I'm just not sure yet. What would Gary Lee do?