If you are a Lion Witch and Wardrobe fan then you’ve got plenty of time to pick up this Advent devotional. Heidi’s devotional is set up to read the book at the same time. There were certain points I wanted more of Lewis’ quotes or even passage sections within the devotional; however, Heidi was wise enough to let the reader know the skirt of the copyright law on this one; it goes quite long. The devotions are short, scripturally pertinent, applicable, and filled with brief insights into the mind of Lewis and Narnia.

Recommended: Advent devotional; Narnia fans

**This was a review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

This is now my go-to Advent meditation book. It’s thoughtful, well-written, and avoids stereotypical platitudes. Lovely Narnia visit for this quiet, dark season of thoughtfulness.

This book would be great for families or individuals to use during the holiday season especially if you like the C. S. Lewis's Narnia series. It has plenty of inspiring stories to use along with Bible verses.

"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.

Advent in Narnia will please any Narnia fan and others, too. What a unique way to prepare for Christ's birth! The author mixes in both Narnia characters and scripture to enlighten the season. The book holds twenty-eight devotions with reflection questions. I read this by myself but will enjoy using it in the future with my grandson and family as Narnia becomes real to him. Since my copy is an e-book I look forward to purchasing the hardbound edition. It is lovely and will complement my Christmas collection.
I am thankful to NetGalley for this reading and reviewing opportunity. My views and honest opinions are my own.

The idea has crossed the minds of church workers for over half a century: how can the Chronicles of Narnia be used as a springboard to encourage Christian spiritual formation? Different curricula have been developed with young people in mind, including the ill-fated 1978 attempt Voyage to Narnia: Chronicles of the Christian Faith from C.S. Lewis which quickly became unavailable due to copyright infringements. More recent and successful attempts have integrated into their lessons plans excerpts from various film adaptations of the Narnia stories, from the 1979 animated version of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to the big screen theatrical release The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010. Besides these approaches for children, new adult classes always seem to be forming in churches around the world for group reading and discussion of the Narnia tales.
Heidi Haverkamp has managed to produce in one single volume a resource for Christian multi-generational learning which combines the best of past Narnia-themed curricula. The story arc of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe involves themes that echo the New Testament Easter story: betrayal, a life for a life, a willing victim, death, and resurrection. However, there are other story elements which call to mind the great winter festival of the Christian calendar, especially to those in the northern hemisphere: Father Christmas, snow laden landscapes, ancient prophecy, and the coming of one who was long-promised. Haverkamp, uses these story elements and others to great effect in the three-pronged approach of her Advent in Narnia: Reflections for the Season.
The largest portion of the book consists of twenty-eight devotional readings for adults. Short Scripture readings are combined with periodic directions for reading through The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, chapter by chapter. Her brief commentaries for each day often provide a refreshing insight into a well-known story. Consider for instance this choice of words: “The Witch doesn’t give Edmund real Turkish Delight. She gives him a kind of opiate” (Reading 6).
Her easy prose occasionally catches the reader off guard: “We may identify more with Susan, Peter, or Lucy, but we all have something in common with Edmund” (Reading 11). Each devotional ends with questions for further reflection.
Advent in Narnia also includes an adult small group discussion guide (four sessions with optional directions for showing movie clips), and instructions for a multi-generational family night program with activities, crafts, and even costume suggestions. Appendices list the various movie versions of Narnia and give an easy receipt for “Mrs. Beaver’s Sticky Marmalade Roll.” That recipe will be a welcomed change for all Sunday School teachers tired of trying to produce palatable plate of Turkish Delight. In this and many other ways, Advent in Narnia is a delightful way to prepare for Christmas.

While relating spiritual thoughts to the Narnia tales may appeal to some groups, it did not fit my ideas of an adult religious activity.

Advent in Narnia is intended to be a reflection on Advent, using selected verses from the Bible and passages from the The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Each chapter begins with a Bible text and a suggested reading from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. This is followed by a short reflection in which Ms. Haverkamp compares various aspects of the story to aspects of the Christian life in relation to Advent. The chapter closes with questions for further thought. The book ends with suggestions for a "Narnia Night" to be held at one's church.

I began this book but was unwilling to finish it. I found the reflections lacked depth and certainly didn't invite a lot of contemplation. The author attempts to be very wide in her audience (ex. "You might write a letter to God, arrange to talk to someone from whom you're estranged, talk to your pastor or priest, or consider a rite of reconciliation if your tradition practices it..."). The result is that she must be very general in her reflections. Occasionally she makes a worthwhile point but these are not enough to outweigh the tone of the rest of the book.

C.S. Lewis had a way of writing that both seemed to invite and assume serious thought. The Bible demands intense reflection and subsequent action of its readers. Advent in Narnia does justice to neither. I regretfully rate it a two out of five stars. I received a complimentary copy from Westminster John Knox Press in order to give it an unbiased review.

One of our Christmas traditions is to celebrate Advent. We do different things for this including reading books, listening to radio dramas, using a Jesse Tree, and more. Every year we try to choose something a little different. This year I was excited to have my own personal celebration of Advent using this book, Advent in Narnia: Reflections for the Season by Heidi Haverkamp.We are huge fans of The Chronicles of Narnia. My girls even have a Narnia themed bedroom! C.S. Lewis has so beautifully captured the essence of childhood imagination in his series. I was very excited to relive this novel as I also focused my heart for Advent.


28 devotions carry you through the novel alternating between excerpts from the novel and Scripture for the entire Advent season. They are thought provoking and intentional, yet easy to read. I originally thought I would use this with my girls as it is advertised as a family devotion, but as I began reading myself I felt it was better suited for middle school or older. My oldest would have gotten something out of it as she is in 6th grade, but I think most of this would have gone over my youngest two daughters' heads. They are avid readers and comprehending literature far above their grade levels, but I still felt they would have found much of this devotional a bit boring.


I am a bit cautious with this author because her denomination's view of Scripture differs greatly from mine. I think it is important to recognize authorship and how that impacts the view of the devotions written. I did not come across anything which was concerning to me specifically in this title, but when it comes to devotions I prefer to read authors who I know hold the same view of the Word of God as I do.



I do think some interesting aspects of the book was the inclusion of information for having a Narnia night at church and working through the study as a church family. Most devotions do not structured to include your entire church family and I found this rather intriguing.I also do not think this need be a devotion strictly for Advent. It could be read anytime of the year in an effort to draw closer to God.



After reading through it, I do not think I will use this with our family in the future.

Each entry starts with a passage from the Bible, after which the reader is instructed to read a chapter in The Lion the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.

I wasn't super impressed with this book as a devotional. But maybe it has something to do with how obvious the points and connections were to me because of my over familiarity with the Narnia books. I've read many other positive reviews, I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped to.

Great for a pre-Christmas daily challenge. Makes a change from the usual advent reading material. Will use again in the future and would recommend for believers or those wanting to know more about the true meaning of Christmas.

I enjoyed the book, even more so as I got further into it. It combined a favorite book and an advent devotional to help me stay focused toward the One the season is celebrating when it is all too easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season. I may use it again next Christmas. It also got me to read "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" again. That is always a pleasant experience. Additionally, this advent book includes practical ideas to use with your church if you desire to make it a church-wide activity.

Narnia fans will truly enjoy this devotional book. It's well-written and the short chapters are easy to fit in a busy December schedule.

Definitely an interesting take and read. I love all things C.S. Lewis and this was a cool insight into Narnia,