The Lion, the Witch, and the Virgin Birth...

Advent Week 3: The Candle of Joy

I’m proud to say that I actually took this picture with my phone driving back from upstate New York.

The third week of Advent is about joy—a joy that invites us to enter a bigger story.

Like many people, my favorite Chronicles of Narnia story is the second installment, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I first watched the movie in high school and loved it instantly. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered C.S. Lewis, and even the deeper story behind the story (maybe I’ll break that down one day?).

This past Sunday, as we lit the third Advent candle at church, this story came to mind. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe isn’t necessarily a Christmas story, but it’s deeply rooted in the story of Jesus.

One particular moment stands out: when the Pevensie children step through the wardrobe into Narnia. On the other side, they do more than observe. They invest in the story unfolding before them. They believe they have a role to play, a prophecy to fulfill. And so they do. They take on those roles—kings and queens, warriors, friends—and become part of Narnia’s redemption.

It’s a beautiful picture of what happens when we step into the story of Jesus. We aren’t just observers; we’re invited to take part, to believe we have a role in His story of redemption. And when we do, it changes everything.

At the end, they spilled back out of the wardrobe, their charge complete. Yet, they were never the same.

The joy of Advent is much the same—it calls us to switch stories, to step into the story of Jesus and become part of what He is doing. It’s not just about watching but taking part—obeying, believing, and being transformed.

The best Christmas stories are the ones of heart transformation (I’m looking at you Ebenezer Scrooge!). Every moment of obedience in this story is evidence of grace: a grace that doesn’t just forgive but rescues, and doesn’t just rescue but transforms. We live this story not in our strength, but by God’s grace alone.

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¹I often give way to the fantasy
that I have the
wisdom,
power,
and character
to control
people,
places,
and things in my life
that seem to be out of control.
I insert myself in
the center
and make it all about me.
But I don’t have the
right,
power,
or need to control
because you have
every situation,
every location,
and every person
under your wise control.
You rule over all things
for my sake
and for your glory.
So once again you call me
to surrender control
and rest
in your sovereign care.

1. A poem from New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp. I highly recommend it for your morning devotions—it’s so good!