Mr. and Mrs. Beaver tell the kids that Narnia is under the spell of an evil despot. There is no hope and there is no peace. Narnia has become a land of despair and defeat. Every day is as if it is “always winter but never Christmas.” This is the description of life under the White Witch’s rule.
Suddenly, the children hear sleigh bells in the distance. At first, they are sure this is the sound of the witch on patrol with her legions, and they hide.
But no it’s not the witch. The driver of the sleigh is a great, glad, giant of a man dressed all in red and white. It is Father Christmas! “I have broken through at last!” he cries. “She has kept me out for a long time, but her magic is weakening.”
Lucy and her siblings shiver with excitement. Father Christmas has come! And he not only brings presents but he brings peace. He not only offers cookies and cream, but love and compassion. He brings music and he brings a message: “Aslan is on the move!” he shouts. “A Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!”
Today, many of us shiver as we try to shelter ourselves from the freezing winds of nightly news. Benghazi and Syria: Always winter but never Christmas. Palestine and Israel: Always winter but never Christmas. Russia and the Ukraine: Always winter but never Christmas. San Bernardino, Roseburg and Fort Hood: Always winter but never Christmas. Baltimore and Ferguson: Always winter but never Christmas. ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al Qaeda; Human trafficking, sexual slavery, Islamic intolerance and Sharia oppression; crucifying Christians, drowning them for sport, raping their children, dragging them to court; political arrogance, government corruption, stimulus spending and national debt: Always winter but never Christmas… This list seems endless.
But, remember there’s better news! News of long ago when light shined on the hills of Bethlehem and Christmas arrived in a stable under the stars. “Do not be afraid,” cries Christmas. “Winter has begun to melt away, I have broken through at last! For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord. And the government shall be upon His shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Of His kingdom there will be no end. He will reign with justice and righteousness forever!” “I have broken through at last,” he shouts! “Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth and good will toward men,” and “Merry Christmas!”
SPECIAL COVERAGE: The power of prayer: For America's future
Dr. Everett Piper, Ph.D, is president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He is a daily and weekly radio commentator in Tulsa and author of “The Wrong Side of the Door: Why Ideas Matter,” an anthology of essays on the “pride of politics, the arrogance of the academy and the pathology of power.”
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