Day 26. The gift of Christmas

[above: Christmas horns. Marion E. Wade Center Christmas tree detail. the Marion E. Wade Center, photographer: Rachel Mink Spencer]

Blessed (praised, glorified) be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited us and brought redemption to His people, and He has raised up a horn of salvation [a mighty and valiant Savior] for us in the house of David His servant—just as He promised. (Luke 1:68–70, AMP)

“And when you put this horn to your lips and blow it, then, wherever you are, I think help of some kind will come to you.”

—C. S. Lewis, Father Christmas to Susan in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

It was a Christmas I’d never for-get—my last Christmas as a single woman, my last Christmas surrounded by all my family and friends in a community in which I’d lived for over 30 years. I could hardly believe that in less than two weeks, I’d be getting married—a dream come true, the long-awaited answer to countless prayers—and moving halfway across the country to start a new life at midlife. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.

On Christmas morning I gazed around the crowded living room at my parents, my four siblings, and their spouses and children. Emotions ran high, each of us trying to savor and treasure every last moment together.

When it was my turn, I opened a gift from my brother David: a replica of Queen Susan’s horn from the Chronicles of Narnia. With it came a note reminding me that my family would always be there for me, even when far away, and that if I was ever in any trouble or distress, I needed only to call, and “help of some kind” would come to me.

What a precious gift!

Sometimes we all feel anxious. There are moments we all feel forgotten or abandoned, lost in our sin and sorrow and suffering. But just as Susan had the promise of her horn, we have the promise of God’s horn of salvation—Jesus. Christmas reminds us that because of him, we have hope, we have help, we have comfort and strength. The Scriptures tell us that all who call on him will be saved (Rom 10:13). Jesus will always come to rescue us and “enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all of our days” (Luke 1:75 NIV).

Hallelujah!

PRAYER: Thank you, Father, for keeping your promise. Thank you for sending Jesus to my rescue. Remind me to call on him constantly, and fill my heart this season with the joy of your salvation! Amen.

By Christin Ditchfield

[Christian History originally published this article in Christian History Issue #133+ in 2019]

Christin Ditchfield is the author of the best-selling A Family Guide to Narnia: Biblical Truths in C. S. Lewis’s the Chronicles of Narnia. She is married to Lewis scholar Andrew Lazo.