When Aslan, Narnia’s rightful King, returns to depose the Witch, he discovers that Edmund has forfeited his freedom by having betrayed his family. To purchase Edmund’s freedom, Aslan voluntarily submits to death at her hand.

Though his death was horrific, on the following morning, Aslan returned from the dead because the deeper magic of the Emperor stated that if an innocent person gives his life on behalf of another, that person would not remain dead. 

Now alive, Aslan joins the children in a ferocious battle against the evil queen and her minions. At long last everything is set right: The children rule at Cair Paravel, Edmund is restored and transformed, the natural seasons of life return to Narnia, the captured prisoners are set free, and the Wicked Witch is killed.

It’s a wonderful story, captivating to both children and adults since its publication over fifty years ago. Recently portrayed on film, it’s now been released on DVD–a worthy addition to any library.

The parallel between the story of Narnia and the story of Jesus are apparent. As Aslan the Lion gave his life to set Edmund free from the consequences of his own treachery, so Jesus the Messiah gave his life to set humanity free from its own demise. In both cases, the grave could not hold the innocent one who willingly gave his life on behalf of the guilty.

As the story of the Edmund and Aslan suggest, three words summarize the Christian message: Beautiful, broken, restored.

From a Christian point of view, creation is beautiful. Creation exists because of the loving  purposes of God. We are not cosmic accidents. “It is good,” the Creator said, admiring his handiwork.

Our appreciation of beauty, our capacity to love, the ebb and flow of the seasons of life: These all reflect the loving, purposeful, beautiful personality of God.

Humanity, in fact all of creation, is beautiful.

But the beauty has been marred. Humanity is broken. Something is dreadfully wrong. We lie, hurt, cheat and steal. Selfishness governs our lives, and creation inevitably groans under the weight of human abuse.

The problem is not merely a deficit of education, or a result of economic inequities. It goes much deeper than that, piercing the depths of the human heart. We have tasted the Wicked Witch’s Turkish Delight. Although it gives us a stomachache, we can’t get enough of it. We are broken and cannot fix ourselves.

Brokenness is not the end of the story, however. Jesus’ death, like the death of Aslan, restores what is broken and makes beautiful what was marred. His resurrection trumps the insanity of our selfishness and breathes new life into humanity and all of creation. Like the freed prisoners of Cair Paravel, we are restored to new life.

Why is it that stories like this stir our heartstrings? Why are we moved by the themes of beauty, brokenness and restoration? Is it just a fantasy? Is it simply childish wishful thinking?

I don’t think so.