The scarlet thread of redemption runs through the entire bible. From the beginning to the end the story is of our creation and redemption. Jesus’ life is the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in this work; the denouement. It is the pulling of the threads together, the intertwining of the rope of redemption stories, even today.
This beautiful paragraph was part of a sermon our pastor gave at the very beginning of the Christmas season. It took me back to my childhood and my own struggles to understand why God loved us so much.
There was a very special book, by a very special author that helped me though. The story of Jesus’ sacrifice told through fairy tales and other worlds. I had grown up reading those and “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” was, what I thought, just another tale. I was so wrong. I loved this book. By the time I was 11 I had read the entire series 3 times, straight through! The magic that was older than time always comforted me. There would always be a way for good to conquer evil. This helped me immensely in my journey as a Christian.
The events of Jesus’ birth, his work, his crucifixion and resurrection have impacted every human in the entire arc of history. They will continue to impact all humans. These events matter. They bear eternal consequence.
Michael Butler
When my darling daughter was in elementary school she read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” in the first grade. (Yes, I said first grade! And it was the third chapter book she read after “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Matilda”. She is an incredibly smart girl.) My husband and I were so proud of her we decided to throw a book party. I had recently read “Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts” by Jane Brocket. She gives instructions on how to celebrate favorite childhood literary works with games, foods, and adventures all related to the books they come from! She gave a recipe for Turkish delight! So with guidance from Mrs. Brocket we had a lovely little tea party for our sweet girl, watched the movie and tried to make Turkish Delight. We weren’t very successful but it sure was fun trying!
I wanted to tie together the joy of our first book party with our Christmas tea, and my and my daughter’s shared loved for Narnia, so I took inspiration from all of those things…
Now come with me as my family has an afternoon Christmas tea! A tea not unlike Mr. Tumnus’ famous one (except there was no toast or attempted kidnapping at ours) and one CS Lewis would have so enjoyed with his god-daughter Lucy.
Here I’ve started by setting the table. I try to always use my best things so everyone has a chance to enjoy them. What good are they locked away? Plus, it’s so easy in this day and age to replace things if they get broken. We are in the dining room for this tea. I wanted it to have a posh Oxford professor’s dining room kind of feel to it. Last year a blizzard was coming through and we had our Christmas tea in the living room so we could stay warm! (Sorry about the one window shade being different- we had to replace one and can’t find a match.)
Of course, “Christmas is the supreme fesitival.” As Agatha Christie says so we had treats of every kind (except Turkish Delight)!
Hubby made egg salad sandwiches and ham and cheese sandwiches too. I made scones, the whipped cream, and the gingerbread cookies. We bought chocolates, cheesecake bites, a cherry stollen, and macrons. It was so festive!
Here are the extra gingerbread cookies that I made while doing our giant cookies. I wanted to do some Noah’s ark animals. After all talking animals are a normal thing in Narnia!
It was a feast. We had a good time and there were plenty of leftovers!
I hope you and yours have a lovely Christmas and that you are reminded of the true greatness of this season.
From my family and home from Kansas Street to yours with love,
-Jaime
Life on Kansas Street 