Christmas in Narnia

Kathryn Swegart recommends a classic Christmas tale for the family. 

Imagine a 16-year-old boy named C.S. Lewis staring at a picture. It is a strange picture, that of a faun (part man and part goat) holding an umbrella, standing in a snowy wood. The image stuck in his mind. The year was 1905. In 1939 he decided to make a story based on the picture. He sketched out opening paragraphs. Seven years later he conceived of a cupboard that led to a mystical land. C.S. Lewis completed the manuscript in 1949. 

By now you have probably figured out the story is The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is the tale of four children who were evacuated from London during World War II and are relocated to the safety of a country estate. One rainy day, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy decide to play hide and go seek in the massive home of a kindly professor. Lucy hides in a wardrobe, stumbles through fur coats, and finds herself in a snowy fantasy world inhabited by an evil witch and mythical creatures. A lamp post stands in the middle of the woods to mark the way back to the wardrobe. Here we discover a place “that is always winter and never Christmas.” 

Let us stop here and read C.S. Lewis’ description of what elevated the story to a classic piece of literature. 

At first, I had little idea how the story would go. But then suddenly Aslan came bounding into it. I think I had been having a good many dreams of lions about that time. Apart from that, I don’t know where the lion came from or why he came. But once he was there, he pulled the whole story together. (CSLewis.org) 

Christmas Themes in the Narnia Stories 

Perhaps you never thought of this famous story as having a Christmas theme. Think again. 

Recently, I watched the 2005 movie version, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. 

Let us look at the biblical themes. The movie version sticks closely to the book, presenting a gripping battle between good and evil. At the birth of Jesus, evil lurks in the shadows as Herod plots to kill this newborn King. Like the children in Narnia, Jesus barely escapes death, escaping to Egypt with Mary and Joseph. 

In one scene, the children race across a frozen landscape, accompanied by friendly talking beavers. To their great surprise and relief, Saint Nicholas appears, driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The character is all we hope he will be, with a jovial face and a bag of magical gifts.  

Just as Jesus’ birth heralds our redemption and breaks the grip of sin, C.S. Lewis portrays the lion Aslan as a Christ figure. His arrival breaks the grip of winter in Narnia. Frozen streams break, grass grows, and flowers blossom. 

Aslan offers himself as a sacrifice for Edmund, the betrayer. The lion is murdered on a stone altar by the White Witch. Night passes and dawn breaks. Aslan is alive! How could we not think of the Resurrection? 

Enjoy This Story with Your Family

Now Catholic families arrive at crunch time in preparation for Christmas. I have some suggestions. Enjoy watching this movie with your family and discuss Christian themes. The story also makes an excellent read-aloud. Books always make wonderful Christmas presents. A gift book might spark interest in the seven-book series, The Chronicles of Narnia. Going on a road trip? Try the audiobook, read by British actor Michael York. 

One cautionary note. Use parental discretion regarding the movie. The witch is really evil. Mythical creatures are scary. Young children (especially sensitive ones) would find some scenes frightening. 

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Copyright 2025 Kathryn Swegart
Images: Canva