Monday, December 05, 2005

A moment of consideration

Here's an article from the Guardian about the Christian aspects of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," which is opening in 2 days.
http://books.guardian.co.uk/departments/childrenandteens/story/0,6000,1657756,00.html?gusrc=rss
The Guardian is a fairly left newspaper here in England, and it's also the one I read. I thought this article was interesting because it dealt honestly with the themes of Christianity worked into the movie. Now, I have to say that I am intensely eager to see this film even if it's mostly because A) no LOTR this year and B) Harry Potter wasn't as cool as I was hoping, and this article did nothing to dissuade me from that. I read the Narnia books for the first time when I was 13, and when I found out years later that they were almost total allegory for the Bible and Christian beliefs, my reaction was "huh?" Okay, now as an adult I can see it. But it's interesting the way that this movie is being promoted toward Christians (if the Guardian article is to be believed). Apparently they have more disposable income to spend on movies.

Maybe it's just because the movie is opening so close to Christmas that thoughts are turning to matters more spiritual. It's very difficult to see God in a big city. When I think Christmas I think snow and home-baked cookies, not the rampant consumerism here. The shopping frenzy is not to be believed. If I described it (and I don't think I can do it justice) you wouldn't believe me. Now I like to shop, but I haven't spent more than 10 dollars on anyone, and all my presents fit neatly into a little bag. It's the thought that counts, right? And especially at this time, my thoughts tend to consider the divine. I don't go to church much anymore. Okay, never, except for Christmas and Easter and a few key times in between. This summer, Sunday was the one day a week I could sleep in, so I did. But being in a larger city, and being surrounded by people of different faiths has made me appreciate my Christian background more. I do fel connected to a larger community. And even though it might be buried under tons of shopping bags and angry consumers, it's still there. The mystery and wonder, only 19 days away. It's very exciting, the waiting--and with no more shopping to do, no decorating, no baking, no cleaning house or dusting off party clothes, that's pretty much all I'm doing. Waiting.

2 comments:

Laura said...

I read the article and would love to discuss it with you at length. For now my reaction will be: If Jeb Bush wants every child in Floridia to read the Chronicles of Narnia he must be banking on a higher literacy rate in his state than there is in Texas.

Unknown said...

Disney working religion into a film? Now I have to see this.