Of all the places I’ve visited, my favorite has to be Narnia. In C.S. Lewis’ first published story of this place, you find yourself alongside four children in a wintery wood, with talking beasts and a wicked Witch. And in this land of Narnia, exist tales from long ago of a great lion—The Lion, the King of the wood, the Son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the Sea. Aslan. One whose return promises the restoration of everything the Witch has destroyed, the end of her reign of terror. But this King is not here, yet. The animals are subjected to the Witch’s tyranny, winter drags on with no hope for Christmas, and fear weighs heavy across the land like a stifling blanket. Yet in a whisper, careful not to be heard by the enemy’s supporters, Mr. Beaver utters to the Pevensie children, “They say Aslan is on the move.”
Even as they are on the run from the Witch, the promise of the Lion’s presence grows, just as the snow begins to melt, Father Christmas comes to visit, and winter gives way to spring. Thus, beginning the end of the Witch’s power. At each turn, this phrase of hope and urgency is breathed,
“Aslan is on the move.”
“Aslan is on the move.”
“Aslan is on the move,” and nearer still.
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The early church had a saying they used when persecution weighed heavy and hope felt out of reach. It was a phrase they whispered to one another when the metaphorical winter dragged on with no relief, with no spring in sight.
Maranatha.
It’s an Aramaic word that means “The Lord is Coming” or “O Lord, Come.” It was a promise and a prayer that the church would cling to in every season, in every situation, the highs and lows alike. It was a reminder to hold onto hope and live with eternity in mind. A deep undercurrent flowed, a constant whisper – “He is coming.”
And just like Aslan in Narnia, with Christ’s return comes the healing of all that is broken around us and within us. And just like Aslan, Christ’s return ends the tyranny of the Enemy, and ushers in the era of life lived with God forever. No more waiting, no more hoping, because “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
This is the heartbeat of Advent. A season when we gather to celebrate Christ’s first coming as a baby and long for his impending return. May we continue what the early church began and strengthen each other with this holy whisper – Maranatha. Aslan is on the move.
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