Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

[Peter and his sisters have befriended the Beavers.  His family is supposed to be the people to save Narnia.  Now is the time that he must decide where his allegiance lies.]

What faith related topic do you think I am going to talk about with this clip?  Baptism!  I figured I could give you one that was actually a really beautiful image for what Baptism is all about.  And seeing how we just celebrated last Sunday the Baptism of the Lord, it seemed fitting. So what is the Sacrament of Baptism in our Church?  Well, it is the desire to be accepted into the family of God, becoming an adopted son or daughter of His.  It is done through renunciation for the empty promises of devil, and the pouring of water in the Trinitarian formula; "in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

So how does this clip integrate the parts connected with baptism?  Peter is posed with a choice, to accept the empty lies of the wolf that is threatening his family and his new found family the Beavers, or to follow what he knows to be right, rescuing his family from danger.  He makes his choice to accept the love of his new family (the Beavers) i.e. the Church.  He plunges his family into the water, accepting the role that has been decided for his good, by somebody greater than himself, Aslan.  Aslan is the true king of Narnia.  He accepts this new family as his own, but not in contrast to his natural family.  He chooses a new life for them, one in which they help their new friends, and all of Narnia.  

I let the clip go for quite some time, as well, because with baptism comes a responsibility to care for those of us who are placed in our path.  Then good choices bear good fruit.  This is why at the end of the clip you see new life spring from the once frozen trees.  Life comes from following His will.  Without Aslan (Christ) life is banished to a cold world in which things are sad and boring.  May we today open ourselves up to the beauty of the world around us, and the joy that God has to offer us.