Advent in Narnia

This book excellently blends the magic of Lewis' Narnia with the celebrations of the Advent/Christmas season. The author expertly sets the stage for an advent journey through Narnia, providing deep insight along the way.

I really wish I'd come across this devotional before the Advent season as it would have been a perfect way to prepare me for a faith filled Christmas. There are a lot of deep and thought-provoking questions to answer and discuss, which I will definitely be doing next year.

I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to look at the season of Advent in a slightly different way.

Thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for the my digital copy.

Simple and Endearing!

I am not one to pick up a devotional easily - I find the practice of devotional reading too daunting and stress-inducing. However, this is a devotional that has in its title the word "Narnia" and I happen to like the series (though I haven't finished them all).

Starting on the first day of Advent, this devotional offers a Bible verse, a suggestion for what chapter to read from the first published book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, namely "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", a meditation connecting the Bible verse and the events in the suggested chapter, and two or three questions for reflection. It's an easy thing to do, and I even managed to read them daily up to day 19. (Success!)

After the 28 days of Advent, the book offers suggestions for a discussion group leader, suggestions for Narnia based activities as a group or family night, some recipes, and other activities ideas. It has a cozy feel about it, and its simplicity manages to prepare you for the important celebration of Christmas. I read this on my kindle, but to read it on paperback would enhance the reading experience, in my opinion. It would be great to go through this every year in preparation for Christmas.

For the season of Advent, I only listen to Christmas music and read only Christmas and Advent themed books. Christmas has become so commercialized, that I have decided to "take back Christmas". I was tired of complaining that Christmas didn't feel like Christmas anymore, so I decided to do something about it. The only person who can make me feel a certain way is me. If Christmas didn't feel like Christmas, it was because I was letting others control my feelings. I wanted to stop that and get back into the spirit of the season. This book was my attempt to do that this year and WOW did it work for me!

DISCLAIMER: I LOVE "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe". The fact that this Advent meditation/study revolved around that book probably made it that much better for me. If it had been based on another book or just a plain old study, it may not have resonated with me as much.

That being said, I thought this book was GENIUS. As a kid, I knew that TLTW&TW was religious, who Aslan represented, that it was an Easter story, but I never really drew the connection to Advent and Christmas. This book opened my eyes to that fact and my appreciation of Lewis' book increased immeasurably, not to mention my respect for the author of this book.

The daily readings weren't too long or too short, they were perfect for a daily reading in a season where people don't have much time and need to bring some peace to their day. The questions were very thought-provoking and deep. And, of course, the readings of Lewis' book alongside of the daily readings just magnified the lesson.

I admit, it was tough to just a read a chapter at a time of TLTW&TW, but the anticipation made it that much sweeter when I was able to continue and it made me realize that I had forgotten quite a bit of the book. I was also able to take my time and really soak in the chapters as I read them and I can't wait to finish it!

Since this was just an Advent study, the entire book of TLTW&TW wasn't read, so I can continue it on my own. I hope there is a plan to do a Lenten study by the same author of this book using TLTW&TW. It would make the completest in me very happy and I would sure as heck get it and read it.

This book is very respectful of copyright laws. It is very clear about what is and isn't allowed by law. I LOVED that this book was so thorough, and respectful of laws/rules/regs, etc.

Confession time. I really, REALLY loved this Advent study. I ordered two copies for my minister and the clerk of session to read and review. If they approve, I'm ordering more copies and starting an Advent study group using this book at my church. Well, and TLTW&TW. I'll be buying a bunch of those for the group too. I'm very excited about this and can't wait for Advent next year!

So, long story short (too late), this book rocked my socks off. It, along with the book it was studying, both helped to bring me to Christmas in a very Christmas frame of mind. I didn't read a whole lot this Advent season, but I didn't miss not having my nose buried in a book. This was a very successful experiment for me.

I HIGHLY recommend this book if you are looking for a good Advent study. Five, HUGE SHINY Christmas stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

Join the children as they go through the wardrobe and enter Narnia. Discover how the story leads up to the birth of the baby Jesus. The symbolism is wonderful as you travel with each child and realize what C.S.Lewis was trying to help his readers realize - something this author has done a fabulous job of. This was a wonderful addition to my Advent devotional reading.
I received this ebook from NetGalley to read and review with no expectations of a positive review.

Advent in Narnia: Reflections For The Season by Heidi Haverkamp

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Heidi Haverkamp's look at the season of Advent through the eyes of the Narnia series brings a fresh and fun element to the traditional Christian celebration of Christmas.

How happy I was to see this book available on NetGalley! Having seen it in bookstores and online I was curious about how one would bring the two worlds together. Granted, the Narnia series was written by C.S. Lewis to share the Gospel with children in a fun way, but I wondered what correlations there would be with the season of Advent. Ms. Haverkamp made these correlations in a unique and delightful way that had me rethinking and truly pondering the meanings and implications that are part of the foundations of our Christian faith. I had not done an Advent study in several years and was thrilled to have found another that was based on a favorite book series. Having read all the books numerous times throughout my life and having seen the fairly good movies released as well, the memories of the stories came back quickly to me as I read the daily lessons and questions. Ms. Haverkamp told the story of Advent and its many lessons in conjunction with the characters and their reactions to the land of Narnia and their experiences there. I really enjoyed how she showed the innocence and pure trust of Lucy to be the same as what we need for our faith in Jesus Christ. Lucy was confident in her faith of what she had seen and although somewhat upset with Edmund she refused to give in and say it was just pretend. As is the point of Narnia, Ms. Haverkamp emphasized that faith comes when we believe that Aslan (Jesus) is coming and will bring and end to Winter (Sin). I found myself remembering again my dislike and then pity for Edmund that he was so determined to go his own way and found himself in a trouble that he could not get out of alone. How like Edmund we are when we decide we know better than God about how life works and what we need to do. And how like Aslan He was and is to show us mercy and grace enough to guide us, however painfully, to the right path again. As an adult I also identify with Peter and Susan who are "older" but not sure if they are ready to let go of the childhood beliefs yet. We all must remember that Jesus said to come to him we must be like a child (Matt. 18:3), just as Lucy came to Aslan as a child. And it is her faith and trust in Aslan that will lead all her older siblings to have faith enough to follow Aslan into battle against the White Witch. How delightful it was to read and remember the story each day and to savor that close relationship with Jesus that we sometimes let fall to the side. To read the "Christmas" story in a different light was refreshing to me and I truly felt I had been able to experience it in a new way. I believe this study would be good for a family as well as individuals who wish for a new look at our traditional faith narrative. I will certainly recommend this to others, with or without children, who are looking for a good study of Advent.

I received this E-book free of charge from Westminster John Knox Press via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

Advent in Narnia, Reflections for the Season by Heidi Haverkamp is a wonderful way for an individual or a family to prepare for the Christmas season. Each daily entry begins with a reading from the Bible. Then the reader is directed to read a chapter in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. This is followed by a discussion on how C.S. Lewis used his characters to highlight in a simple fable-like way the Bible verses. There are also questions for further reflection that can be used to spark more discussion and understanding.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Westminster John Knox Press. I voluntarily reviewed it.