Movie Review -- The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Finally, after waiting for two weeks, I was able to view the latest in the Chronicles of Narnia movies, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." With a new production company and a new director, I was curious to see whether this movie would compare favorably with C.S. Lewis' original manuscript or not.

When compared to the other two movies, the Dawn Treader is certainly better than Prince Caspian, but no where near as enjoyable as the first Chronicles of Narnia movie. In my opinion, this movie had extensive periods that seemed to drag, primarily because the action was forced to be limited to scenes on board the Dawn Treader ship. While Lewis used the ship time in his book to explore the character's thoughts and feelings and to lay the groundwork for the overall theme of temptation that underlies the original novel, this movie fought to find something entertaining to do, and I found myself glancing at my watch time and time again wondering when we would see some type of action.

The acting was similar to the other movies, in other words, it was passable, but nothing Oscar-worthy. The lone bright star in this movie was Will Poulter, who played the Pevensie's cousin, Eustace Scrubb. He completely immersed himself in his role, especially in the early scenes on board the ship, and literally stole the show. His performance alone makes this movie worth watching.

On a spiritual note, I was glad to see the director remained mostly faithful to Lewis' intent in the original novel, which was to explore the theme of temptation among the main characters on the ship. The director aptly showed how Lucy was tempted with envy of her sister's beauty, how Edmund was consumed with his desire for power and wealth, Eustace with his negative attitude and arrogance, and how Caspian struggled with self-worth and self-esteem in light of his father's opinions. The one thing that I thought was really not well displayed was how the Dawn Treader's voyage east, towards Aslan's land, was a picture of the Christian life and of how, although we struggle with temptation and sin, we continue on our voyage to heaven as we overcome these issues through the help of Christ.

The best moments of the film came at the end, when Aslan finally appears to all four of the main characters. How thrilling to hear Aslan pronounce to the four, "Well done" as they stand on the shore of His land. And, it was very moving when Aslan sent Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace back with the pronouncement that He would always be with them, even in our world, although He is known by another name here. "He means 'Jesus,' doesn't He?" my daughter whispered. And, that, more than anything, shows the value of this movie.

SERMON: TREASURING JESUS AT CHRISTMAS

12 December 2010

I. Introduction
-- turn in Bibles to Luke 2

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.


-- there's just something about a baby that draws people's attention, doesn't it? -- as we were boarding the plane for Atlanta on Friday morning, I couldn't help but notice that there was a mother with a very young baby getting on the plane ahead of me
-- now most of the time, people don't like to see babies getting on a plane -- everyone knows that a baby's ears are sensitive to pressure changes and the babies get disturbed by all the commotion on the plane and jerks and the bounces and so they spend the entire flight crying and screaming -- either because their ears are hurting or because they are just scared -- which causes the mother to get upset because she knows that everyone around her is irritated at the baby and at her for not being to keep the baby quiet
-- so, because of that, when people see a baby getting on a plane, most people glance at the baby and its mother with a sense of apprehension or irritation -- and, I have to confess, when I took my seat and found myself right across the aisle from the baby, I was a little concerned -- I was afraid I was going to spend the next two hours listening to a crying baby
-- but there was just something captivating about this particular child -- it was happy -- it was laughing -- and even though the flight was full and there was no baggage space in the overhead bins and everyone was getting a little grumpy about finding a space for their carryons -- I noticed that every single person who walked past this mother and her baby stopped and had a word to say to her
-- as the flight progressed, I overheard some of the conversation between the mother and the people who were sitting right next to her -- they were asking her how old her little girl was -- and the mother replied with pride that her baby was four months old -- "she's going to a big one -- her father is 6'5"," she said
-- and then she said something that really caught my attention -- she went on to say, "maybe she'll be a WNBA player when she grows up -- or, maybe she'll even be the president"
-- and, at that moment, it struck me why so many people were stopping to speak to that mother and her baby

-- everyone knows that we're going through some pretty dark days in our country -- we've been at war since the terrorist attacks of 9-11 -- our economy has taken a turn for the worse -- our unemployment rate is the highest it's been in decades -- people who once had stable jobs and good homes have now found themselves unable to pay their mortgage and out on the street looking for work
-- hope seems distant -- help seems far away -- no one seems able to fix what is wrong with our country -- not the president -- not congress -- no one
-- but when we see a baby with its mother, we are reminded that there is always a future -- that there is always a hope -- that there is always a promise of better days ahead
-- if you think about it, a baby has its whole life ahead of it -- its life at this point holds nothing but potential and promise -- it is a clean slate -- a new beginning -- a starting point -- and, as that young mother exclaimed on my flight, maybe, just maybe, this child will grow up and be something great
-- so I sat on that flight home on Friday, and listened as people stopped and spoke words of encouragement to that child and her mother, and watched as her mother treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart



II. Scripture Lesson (Luke 2:1-20)
-- Luke tells us a similar story here in this familiar passage about the birth of Jesus -- the Christmas story that we all celebrate every year -- this is a story that all of us have grown up knowing by heart -- the story of a baby being born in a manger -- of angels singing to shepherds on a cold winter's night -- of a star leading the wise men to worship the newborn King -- of a great light being born into a dark world to bring hope and life to us all
-- we celebrate this story every year as we put up a tree in our home and decorate with lights and with ornaments -- as we listen to Christmas carols and go to Christmas plays -- as we put up nativity sets -- and as we buy and exchange presents with those that we love and care about
-- but a lot of times, we get lost in the celebration and we forget what Christmas meant to those who first experienced it -- especially what Christmas meant to Mary -- in his gospel, Luke seemed to have a special place for women -- and I think he gives us a glimpse here in this passage of just what the birth of Jesus meant to Mary when he tells us in verse 19 that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart

-- we tend to forget just how young Mary was when Jesus was born -- most scholars believe that Mary was only about 15 years old when the first Christmas occurred -- back in Luke 1 we read of the angel Gabriel appearing to this 15-year-old girl and telling her that she is going to be pregnant and is going to bear the Son of God -- can you imagine what was going through her mind? -- can you imagine the stress and worry that Mary felt at hearing that news?
-- when we hear of a young girl like this that becomes pregnant in our own day, we wonder, "What was she thinking? -- How can she be a mother while she's still a child? -- How will she be able to take care of this child"
-- those same thoughts probably ran through Mary's mind and through the minds of those in her small hometown as well -- how many people would believe her story of an angel appearing and telling her that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit? -- can you imagine what life was like for Mary?
-- as she walked through the town and suffered the judgmental glances of the people, how many doubts rose in her mind? -- how many questions did she have? -- how many times did this young girl run to the arms of her betrothed and sob uncontrollably? -- how many tears did she shed?
-- we know that it must not have been easy for her -- in fact, it seems like her family sent her away to ease her pain to a place where questioning eyes would not watch her and where judgmental tongues would not wag
-- Luke tells us that shortly after Mary became pregnant, that she went to the village where her cousin Elizabeth lived, and stayed there with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, for several months

-- shortly before it was time for her to give birth, Luke tells us she returned home, and she and Joseph set out for Bethlehem in response to Caesar's call for a census
-- it was about 80 miles between Nazareth and Bethlehem -- and it couldn't have been an easy journey for Mary in her condition -- for days and days and days they traveled, until they finally made their way into Bethlehem -- exhausted -- worn out from their travels -- and when they got there, they couldn't find a place to stay -- Luke tells us that there was no room for them anywhere, so they had to take shelter in a stable

-- look back at verse 6

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

-- I want you to notice something here in these verses -- Luke tells us that after Jesus was born, that Mary wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger -- Mary wrapped Him in cloths -- there was no midwife present -- there had been no one there with the couple to help them in the birth of their son -- just like it was in Nazareth, they found themselves alone again -- with no one to help
-- what was Mary thinking about that night? -- did she wonder why she was all alone? -- surely if this was the Messiah, then God would have sent help for her, wouldn't He? -- at least a midwife, if not an angel -- had she been mistaken? -- was this not the Son of God?

-- and while Mary was there resting in the stable with her newborn Son, all of a sudden, the door burst open and the room filled with shepherds -- dirty, smelly shepherds -- yelling and looking for her baby
-- what did Mary do when they burst into the room? -- what would you have done? -- did she grab up her son and hold him to her chest to protect Him? -- did she turn away or scream out in fright?
-- did Joseph jump up to defend her?

-- the shepherds burst in on them and told them a story that was hard to believe -- an angel had appeared to them and told them that the Savior had been born -- that the Messiah was here -- and that they would find Him wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger
-- keep in mind that neither Mary or Joseph had seen any angels -- they hadn't heard the song the angels sang or seen the glory of the Lord that night -- they had been by themselves in a stable -- all alone -- as Mary gave birth to her son
-- in fact, it had been over nine months since Gabriel first appeared to Mary -- over nine months since Joseph had his dream telling him that Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit and that he should not be afraid to take her home as his wife
-- for a long time, God had been silent -- for a long time, the couple had been living and surviving only on faith in the promises that they had received so many months ago
-- so as the shepherds shared their tale and left -- as the streets of Bethlehem were filled with celebration that night -- what was Mary's response?

-- skip over to verse 19

19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

-- there are two important words in this verse -- treasured and pondered
-- the Greek word that we translate as "treasured" here means cherished -- it means protecting something of great value -- making it a part of you
-- the other word, "pondered," means to reflect deeply on a subject -- to turn the thought over in your heart -- to examine it from all sides -- to think prayerfully about the implications of something

-- Luke tells us that Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart -- but what does that really mean? -- as Mary sat in the silence of the stable in the aftermath of the shepherds, did she ponder the paths that led her to this point? -- did she feel again the hurt from the looks and whispers over the last nine months? -- did she wonder again at the message of the angel Gabriel? -- did she wonder about what life would be like as the mother of the Messiah? -- did she cry for Jesus that night, knowing that He had been born to die? -- did she cry for herself?
-- sometimes it's hard for us to picture Mary as who she really was -- a scared, lonely 15-year old girl who had been given the most important job in the world -- the job of raising the Messiah
-- is it any wonder that she spent time treasuring and pondering in her heart what this child would do and who this child would be?

III. Closing
-- Mark Lowrey wrote a Christmas song called, "Mary, Did You Know?" that speaks right to the heart of this verse
-- let me share with you a few of the lyrics:
-- "Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? -- Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? -- Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? -- That this Child that you delivered will soon deliver you?
-- "Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? -- Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand? -- Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod and that when you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
-- Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation? -- Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations? -- Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb and that the sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am."
-- this passage is a wonderful reminder that there is more to Christmas than just trees and presents -- more than just lights and plays -- Christmas is a time of celebration -- but it should be more than just that
-- it should be a time of reflection -- a time of remembrance -- a time to treasure up and ponder the wonder of the gift that God gave us in Jesus just as Mary did on that first Christmas so long ago
-- so, as we close this morning -- we are going to do just that by joining together in the sacrament of Holy Communion

The Unlikely Evangelist

       In an African church led by missionary James King, a lady came to every service with an old dog who sat beside her on the outside aisle. When the invitation was given for people to pray, the dog took his place beside her at the altar.

       One day, the woman’s husband beat her so severely that she died. Later, the man noticed the dog disappeared for about two hours on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. The following Sunday, the man followed the dog to the church where the animal occupied his regular place on the outside aisle. At the invitation, the dog took his place by the altar. The man was so touched that he, too, went forward and gave his life to Christ. Now the dog comes to church with a new master. (Parables, Etc., January, 1987, pg. 4).

       The last words that Christ gave us were to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all the things He commanded us to do (Matthew 28:18-20).

       Far too often, we fail to follow this commandment of Christ and do not evangelize because we fear that we just don’t know the Bible well enough or we don’t know the right words to say. However, as this parable points out, your life speaks volumes to others about your faith in the absence of words. St. Francis was quoted as saying, “Witness everyday. Use words if necessary.”

       Take some time and think about your actions and how those around you see you. Would they follow you to church and to Christ because of what you do and who you are? If not, then why not? Let your life mirror Christ to someone today, and show them the Way!

WHAT WILL YOU BRING?

        “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” -- Romans 12:1-2

       Every time I read these verses, and especially at this time of the year, I think back to the holiday classic, “The Little Drummer Boy.” If you remember that story, an orphan boy and his animals find themselves traveling in the company of the three wise men en route to visit the new-born Christ.

       As the story closes, the little drummer boy finds himself at the manger and watches as the three wise men offer their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Embarrassed by his lack of a gift, the little drummer boy offers the only thing that he has — himself. He does so by playing a song for the baby, and he exclaims that as he played, Jesus smiled at him.

       Sometimes I wonder what I can bring Jesus that will make Him smile at me. I wander through the stores, looking for just the right gift for family and friends and realize that there is nothing I can buy and nothing I can bring that Jesus doesn’t already have. The Bible tells us that He owns every beast of the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills . My conundrum is the same as that of the little drummer boy — “What can I bring a King?”

       The Apostle Paul, writing with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us here what the Lord desires, what will make the Lord smile at us — ourselves. Paul makes it clear that this is a voluntary offering. It is not commanded. It is not demanded. It is urged, it is encouraged, as a gift worthy of a King.

       Paul tells us that by offering our bodies as living sacrifices to God, by giving Him our entire being — our body and our mind and our spirit — that this will be an act of spiritual worship. This will be a gift that is holy and pleasing to God.

       What does it mean to offer yourself as a living sacrifice? It means that you decrease and God increases in your life. It means that you step off the throne of your own life and you exalt God in all facets of your life — physical, material, and spiritual. This also means that you demonstrate your love for God by loving your neighbor as yourself, by giving to others agape — unconditional — love.

       We all have something to offer to God and to others. We are all gifted with talents and skills. We have all been blessed in various areas. Some of us have been blessed financially. Some of us have been blessed with abundant time to participate in ministry. Some of us have been blessed with administrative skills. We all have something to bring to the altar. We all have something to offer to others as a way of sacrificing to God.

       When we offer ourselves to others in this way, Paul tells us that we are worshiping God. We are telling Him that He is worthy of our love and our praise and our adoration. And, when we do this, we bring a smile to God’s face. What a worthy gift to bring to a King at Christmas!

CHRISTMAS -- A TIME TO REFLECT AND REJOICE

“And the angels filled the sky, all of heaven wondered why.
Why their King would choose to be a baby born to die.
And all fell silent, for the cry of an infant,
the voice of God, was dividing history.

For those with eyes to see, the Son would shine from earth that night.
To break the chains of guilt and sin, to find us here, to pull us in.
So that we can join in Heaven’s song, and with one voice around the throne.”
(Born to Die by Bebo Norman)

       As we head into the Christmas holiday season this year, never let us forget the true meaning of Christmas. For Christmas is more than just presents and trees. It is more than just gathering with friends to sing carols on a cold winter’s eve. It is more than just lights and decorations and warm feelings of goodwill to all. And, it is certainly more than just the story of a baby born in a manger on a cold winter night in a small town in the Middle East over 2000 years ago.

       Christmas is the story of God loving us so much that He became a man to save us when we couldn't save ourselves. In a very real sense, Christmas is about the cross. For, you see, the baby we sing of in our Christmas carols was born to die. And that, more than anything, is the good news of Christmas

       Without the baby Jesus, we would be lost in a world of darkness, dead in our sins and without hope. But, because 2000 years ago Jesus left His throne on high, and humbled Himself, and was found in form as a human baby on that first Christmas night, hope and light and life were born in human hearts everywhere. Jesus became one of us and then went to the cross in our place, taking upon Himself our sin and our shame and guilt and bearing our punishment so that we might have eternal life with Him forever!

       Christmas is the day when we celebrate the fact that God came down to earth and wrapped Himself in flesh. Christmas demonstrates the Father's love for us just as the cross demonstrates Christ's love. God had no assurance that we would love His Son, but He sent Him to earth anyway. Jesus had no assurance that we would love Him, but He willingly went to the cross for us anyway. He loved us even though He knew that we might never love Him or trust Him. He loved us enough to die for us, even though many continue to reject Him to this day.

       Max Lucado wrote this perspective on the incarnation of Christ:

       "Can anything make me stop loving you?" God asks. "Watch me speak your language, sleep on your earth, and feel your hurts . Behold the Maker of sight and sound as He sneezes, coughs, and blows His nose.

       "You wonder if I understand how you feel? Look into the dancing eyes of the kid in Nazareth; that's God walking to school. Ponder the toddler at Mary's table; that's God spilling His milk."

       "You wonder how long my love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That's me you see up there, your Maker, your God, nail-stabbed and bleeding, covered in spit and sin-soaked."

       "That's your sin I'm feeling. That's your death I'm dying. That's your resurrection I'm living. That's how much I love you.”

       That, my friends, is Christmas!

       So, as you begin your preparations this year, as you gather around the tree with family and friends to celebrate Christmas, remember the Cross and the incarnation and rejoice over the real meaning of Christmas! May God bless you and keep you this Christmas, and may His Spirit continue to fill you with His life!