Narnia: All I Want For Christmas... Series

I

remember when I was young {very young} and my Mother took me to the local department store (McNeany’s) around Christmastime, and there in the basement by the toy section was Santa Claus. I remember wanting to sit on his lap and waiting for his question, “And now young man, what do you want for Christmas”? I think at that point I got tongue tied and totally forgot what was on my list. (Remember, I’m only about five or six years old. ) Finally, I blurted out, “All I want for Christmas is …”

Oh, you want me to finish it. I think at that time it was some Tonka fire truck or a cowboy hat holster and cap gun (You see I was into Rin Tin Tin, Zorro, and the Lone Ranger at that time).

It happens to many children (and adults) this time of year. I want …--I want …--I want …. I remember when spy movies, James Bond, and TV shows came out and were real popular. I remember there was this toy called six finger. It was a toy gun that looks like a finger on your hand. And there was a briefcase like that which 007 carried with all this trick gadgets. I wanted one of those really bad. I wanted it.

I didn’t get them and I felt that it was not a very good Christmas that year. I’ve never told this to anyone before. I really didn’t think that Christmas came because I did not get those gifts. Now, I know that my parents saw past the cheapness of those items and they did not want me to emulate the cunning, tricking, and spying like qualities of 007.

What I want to focus on tonight is the I want …--I want …. The drive. The desire. The lust.

In our story, The Lion, the Witch, and The wardrobe, it happens to Edmund. I showed it to you earlier. I would like to read that passage from the book. Here’s what it says,

The Queen let another drop fall from her bottle onto the snow, and instantly there appeared a round box, tied with a green silk ribbon, which, when opened, turned out to contain several pounds Turkish Delight. Each piece was sweet and light to the very center and Edmund had never tasted anything more delicious. He was quite warm now, and very comfortable.

While he was eating the Queen kept asking him questions. At first Edmund tried to remember that it is rude to speak with one’s mouth full but soon he forgot about this and thought only of trying to shovel down as much Turkish Delight as he could, and the more he ate, the more he wanted to eat, and he never asked himself why the Queen should be so inquisitive.

Later, C.S. Lewis writes,

At last the Turkish Delight was all finished and Edmund was looking very hard at the empty box and wishing that she would ask him whether he would like some more. Probably the Queen knew quite well what he was thinking; for she knew, though Edmund did not, that this was enchanted Turkish Delight and anyone who had once tasted it would want more and more of it, and would even, if they were allowed, go on eating it till they killed themselves.

Desire. I want …. Appetite. Lust. The Bible has a lot to say about these things. Let’s take a look.

Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Philip. 3:18-19 (NLT)

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth.

Col. 3:2 (NLT)

Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.

Col. 3:5 (NLT)

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry.

2 Tim. 3:2-7 (NLT)

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. 4They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.