The Meaning of Christmas in Narnia | Narnia Lore | Into the Wardrobe

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Ever since Lucy, Peter, and Susan Pevensie met Father Christmas in the Chronicles of Narnia book, Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe (poor Edmund met Jadis instead), there have been many questions about the nature of Christmas in Narnia. From Mr. Tumnus to the gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, Christmas has played a dominant role in the world of Narnia, and ultimately points to the coming of Aslan himself.

[@holyromanempireball465]

I love the Narniad and I love this channel.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Wow! My first super thanks ever! Thanks so much for the support and the encouragement! You've motivated me to stay up late to finish a new video!

[@DEVILTAZ35]

I'm not even religious and absolutely love these books. I love the fact that you don't have to be to enjoy the stories within.

[@Halfwit_The_Brave]

Narnia is an amazing story, I’m glad you enjoy it :)

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Thanks for posting! I think Lewis would say there's a reason your heart is inclined towards these stories. Some truths transcend cultures and traditions, because they really are true!

[@berengustav7714]

Exactly! "You have to be Christian to love Narnia or Lord Of The Rings!" That logic means you have to be pagan to like God of War or Percy Jackson.

[@Tajworks]

Me too

[@TheZamaron]

@@berengustav7714 Ok who's the idiot saying Lord Of The Rings? Narnia I get as it's literally written with Christian ideas in mind, but Tolkien despite being Christian at some point in his life didn't use Christian things in his stories of Middle Earth, or at least not enough to make them obvious like Narnia had.

[@DuelKingYami]

I love “leaving the Shadow Lands behind and entering a world that’s more real than our own” with you my friend. Merry Christmas

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Same

[@RaeS3]

Merry Christmas to all sons of Adam, daughters of Eve, and Narnians!

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@Angie2343]

Same to you

[@alicerivierre]

Merry Christmas from Middle-Earth and Wonderland to Narnia!

[@rainbowshiningstar2770]

Merry Christmas ⛄⛄!

[@benjaminfeld6388]

And to you as well. Long live the true King.

[@carooliveira3683]

There's nothing I can say. That was just a beautiful reflection much needed for this time.

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

Your videos always make me so emotional because I know what the story of Narnia and Aslan is supposed to symbolize in the real world. 😭🙌🏾

[@samtjman]

And an aspect I love is that Jadis herself undermined her own curse. First, by being a tyrant, she forced Aslan's claw. Second, when she gave Turkish Delight to Edmund. For in that act, she like many tyrants missing truth behind the propaganda didn't understand that was a minor sign of Christmas coming. Ergo, she both made it necessary for Aslan to come, and broke her own edict by allowing a sign of Christmas to sneak through her lies even amidst cursing a child.

[@spencerfrankclayton4348]

She gave him Turkish Delight because he asked for it; and it was tainted food.

[@samtjman]

@@spencerfrankclayton4348 Yes. But because she didn't understand the significance of that food, it hurt her own curse.

[@johnnycage112]

The wardrobe has returned!

[@TinyMiniStealth]

Merry Christmas everyone! Praise God for giving us a light in the darkness.

[@skyvolt2566]

Merry Christmas my fellow Narnians!

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@annchovey2089]

Looking forward to Song of Solomon 2:11-13. Aslan is on the move!

[@elf1384]

This video was amazing! I love it how you explain the depths of how Christmas came into Narnia, how Jadis banned the holiday because it foretold of her death, Aslan's return and the four thrones of Cair Paravel. I love the new explanation of Father Christmas and how his represents his role with Narnia and the gifts he gives to Peter, Susan and Lucy; explaining to them that these gifts are not toys but tools to battle the forces of evil and tyranny (like the armor of God in Ephesians). Please keep up the good work and have a wonderful and blessed Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 🦁👑!!!!! Aslan is on the move!!!

[@spencerfrankclayton4348]

Christmas is in Narnia because Aslan is the metaphor for Jesus Christ, who Christmas is about. Aslan is basically supposed to be Jesus in his Narnia version. Jadis, as a metaphor for evil (sometimes the devil), obviously opposes that. That's why that particular holiday and figure is celebrated. Now the actual process of celebrating it was probably introduced by Frank and Helen, yes.

[@filiphovland2462]

Not only is Aslan supposed to be Jesus in Narnia: he is Jesus! CS Lewis started the Chronicles with the question "what if God created other worlds separate from our own, and would Jesus be in that world?". Aslan is Jesus, and that makes sense with the line from the movies, where Aslan says "in your world I have another name which you must learn to know me by".

[@dursty3226]

"even in receiving, it is still more blessed to give than receive." dude... i think you just changed my whole perspective on gift giving

[@jonathanbrewer7072]

Very impressive interpretation. Another winner by Stuart and the team. Congratulations. ( Roger Lancelyn Green, Lewis' Magdalen College pupil, friend, and influence on the Narnian books, suggested that Lewis should remove Father Christmas as he changed the magic of LWW. I heartily agreed with this until watching this video. Thank you. )

[@ADGZone]

Heck yeah! More Narnia content. Merry Christmas everyone!

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@soonminkwon9394]

I really appreciate all your works on Lewis' marvelous world of wonder and faith, sir! It is a delight to see a Christmas video on your Narnia channel! God bless you and Merry Christmas!

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Hi merry Christmas

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

Very underrated channel, awesome content!

[@JosephAlanMeador]

Can definitely recommend JP Green's "For The Emporer". It's a solid introduction into the Tales of Orlen series, and i'm looking forward to the next entry! Merry Christmas everyone

[@Esmeralda.Pendragon]

Thank you very much for the advice, when I have time I will buy the book and read it. 😊

[@helenkrane6313]

I will gladly leave the shadowlands behind, and enter a world that is more real than our own with you my friend, I love your videos, thank you for them. Merry Christmas!

[@MollyOKami]

Have a _VERY_ Merry Christmas, everyone!

[@lauraa1345]

Wow the artwork in this video is absolutely stunning and I've learned a lot with all your explanations! You've created another masterpiece - thank you so much for all your hard work, Stuart! It really means a lot🤍

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Thank you for the encouragement, Laura!

[@RaccoonGamer9613]

So basically Christmas exists both in the real world and Narnia, too, as well? I guess becuase Narnia is land of magic fill with beings and creatures that are beyond the realm of what the real world portrays them as. In this case, St.Nick exists in Narnia in the same way he represented in the real world becuase he represents the magic of joy, hope, and laughter of Christmas.

[@jarongreen5480]

Wow! This was a brilliant video! I always wondered how Christmas came to Narnia and it's so fascinated and yet simple that the answer was the first king himself. It's kinda funny to that Jadis thought that simply making it snow would keep Aslan out and protect her from her own doom. Thank you so much also for sharing my book with your wonderful audience. I hope that its story can bring someone somewhere Enchantment and imagination this holiday season. Merry Christmas one and all!

[@polktechnologysolutions5874]

You made me cry in front of my kids....

[@TheNotoriousCheeto]

Well, that gave me some Christmas spirit.

[@Numba003]

Thank you for another video! C.S. Lewis has really helped me understand a few things over the years. I hadn't thought of the cabby from The Magician's Nephew bringing the Christmas tradition to Narnia by the way lol. Merry Christmas out there everybody! ✝️🎄

[@Carolina-rd3gh]

This was quite a hard day for me and this video provided much needed comfort. Thank you.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

I'm so glad. Hoping your Christmas is encouraging.

[@joshuavalencia1583]

This vedio brought me to tears brother blessings

[@miplaylis2054]

Wow christmas came early this year

[@christianmoller6141]

Since time passes differently in Narnia, basically 2500 years there happening in 50 of our years here, that means Christmas happens 50x there every year in our time. Santa must be very busy traveling between dimensions that many times a year.

[@roxiegraham8521]

I just found this channel after watching various Tolkien fan channels and am so thrilled to find this since C.S. Lewis & Narnia are my other favorite author / book series.

[@samtaylor4928]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!🎁🎄🎅🏻🎁🎄🎅🏻 let’s all step into the wardrobe.

[@Halfwit_The_Brave]

This was a beautiful video. Thank you for making and sharing it :)

[@gustyko8668]

Oh, i knew that I was gonna love this episode just by looking at the title 🥰☺️ May everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!! 🎄🎅⛪️ Thanks for this lovable episode, and thank Lewis and Tolkien for giving us such amazing works of art!!! 🎭📚

[@ridingtherange1]

Absolutely love this channel! These books are so incredible for the many layers that even after more than a decade of reading and rereading them, you're still teaching me new things about them. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

[@Esmeralda.Pendragon]

I just finished watching all your videos (including the one about Peter), and I have to say that I absolutely love your channel. For the simple reason that you delve into the details of this Saga in a meticulous, careful and thoughtful way. In addition to showing deep empathy for the issues that Lewis wanted to highlight in his books. It's not easy to meet someone like me who loves The Chronicles of Narnia, and you're one of the chosen few. I hope to see more of your content, and to be able to comment on it whenever I can based on the free time I have available. Greetings from Italy and see you soon, I hope. 🇮🇹💖

[@corinasings5606]

Merry Christmas to you! Thank you so much for all your Narnia videos! 💜🎄

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@Epic_Kingdom]

Merry Christmas!

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@josephwalliker6162]

Nadolig Llawen, merry christmas everyone! Thank you for this great exposition of the narnian christmas. I loved the way you summed it up :)

[@DBUPatriotPrincess]

We would like a puddleglum video! But we liked this one! Merry Christmas!

[@nmoney6655]

Maybe you can do a episode on the line of succession in Calormen from the first Archeland outcasts to the last Rushda Tarkann

[@alainalf4027]

❤❤. Thank you for another great Narnian History lesson. Merry Christmas and may Aslan bless you and all who watch. XX

[@AngelPerez-yr1yi]

Thanks for your awesome videos. Merry Christmas!!!

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@jacquicoder7160]

A great video, thanks for sharing your thoughts about Christmas in Narnia. I wish there was as much interest in this world about the true meaning of Christmas.

[@dougitoonsdesigns]

Beautiful and timely. Thank you

[@edwatkins6628]

Father Christmas may not be real in our world, but that's just because he's living on in Narnia

[@DuelKingYami]

“Winter has met it’s death, because now the King has come.” 🤩 the most amazing thing of all time. Thanks my fellow Narniac

[@AndrewCarlisle11B]

Fantastic! That conclusion gave me goosebumps!

[@darktenor4967]

Love the video, also never thought of the usefulness of father christmas' gifts to Mr. and Mrs. beever. Btw, I always wondered if Jadis banning christmas was also a reference to Oliver Cromwell, also a historical dictator who banned Christmas, and any sort of joy or celibration involved with Christian worship during his reign as lord protector of England from 1653-58.

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Great point! I'm sure you're right about this. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@Esmeralda.Pendragon]

Yes, I agree with you. The Santa Claus of Narnia, and that of the Land of Shadows are totally different. While the one from earth only brought toys to children who had behaved well, the one from Narnia in my opinion is much more important and I like it better than the first version I met. Also because he brought Christmas gifts, things that were really needed. Both in everyday life and in battle. Jadis hated Christmas, because that it was a symbol of hope and that Santa Claus is a devoted ally of Aslan. Furthermore, the prophecy clearly stated that with the arrival of Peter, Edmund Susan and Lucy; not only could Santa Claus cross Narnia because the witch's protective barrier had been destroyed, but both Aslan and spring would arrive. Season, which would have decreed the end of Jadis' life. Good job. 💐

[@Bezanie]

YAY!!! New video! Thanks! Merry Christmas!!! 😁

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@ed056]

Nailed It!!!

[@garysmith9823]

Merry Christmas. May your channel continue to be a blessing in the coming year.

[@ShizuruRavenRobin026]

I found ur channel again it's so fun seeing ur videos

[@davevandyk2988]

Nicely done, great video! Michael Ward may opine that Father Christmas represents the joviality, or perhaps "donegality," of LWW :)

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Yes, I would agree with Ward. I think there are often many layers of meaning in Lewis' writing.

[@swordwhale1]

Overall great video, but I love the bit about Mr Beaver's dam! Beavers are often overlooked in their importance to environments. I worked with a couple wildlife rehabbers and one of them had a lecture beaver that we took out to events and educational programs. Bonnie was very soft and picking her up was rather like lifting a 60 pound water balloon! Beavers are awesome.

[@Disneydreamgirl33]

I love your use of the Ai Art! cant wait to see more art of the books we dont have much media or imagery of!

[@WhoIsCalli]

Awesome, thanks for this! 🎅

[@ricdiaz3721]

Thank You , You Inside The Wardrobe you Too 😊.

[@balenfalotico2283]

As some one who is agnostic but comes from Christian backgrounds, I still love reading The Chronicles of Narnia and love watching your content. I love that u don’t have to be a Christian to read and understand the message and lore that the books give. Have a Merry Christmas brother! Keep up the good work!

[@Deforestater]

Great video! I'd like to see a video on the Emperor beyond the Sea

[@wellsentertainment2632]

Always appreciate these videos!!

[@alanlicalzi527]

Love the channel. If I may make a suggestion for a future video, near the end of the Dawn Treader, Lucy looks over the side and sees water people. I have never seen anybody discuss this side of the lore. It raises many questions: did Aslan have contact with them; if not, why? How long did their kingdom last, and how far did it go? What were they doing during the reign of Jadis? What was the story of the sheperdess Lucy saw, and why were the hunting party unhappy to see her? ... I don't know how much information is out there on this, or if there is fanfiction, but I think it is an untapped side of the Narnia story.

[@barryon8706]

Merry Christmas, everyone

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@Pumpkinshire]

I wish I had a coffee table sized Narniad with your illustrations. You should try and license one someday.

[@LittleJordanFarm]

Merry Christmas..blessings and thanks

[@WONDERLANDAF]

What a beautiful video!! I love all of your Narnia videos but this one was so comforting!!!

[@joywalker6901]

Brilliant video as always! Merry Christmas everyone

[@kaylamckee8865]

Another beautiful video!!!! The art is beautiful as always!!!! Merry Christmas!!!!! :)

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Thank you, Kayla! Merry Christmas to you!

[@LoveyDovey9000]

Another awesome video love the artwork chosen for this. Can’t wait for more stuff

[@regenesismedia2180]

Bravo... well done!

[@daughter_of_eve04]

Thank you very much! It’s so interesting to see the deeper layers and learn more about Narnia! 6:21 love that music!

[@carrieannemichelle3195]

Great video. Happy Holidays everyone.

[@gabrielabatista6016]

You know, I never realised that there is (or was) a distinction between Father Christmas and Santa Claus before learning English. You see, on a lot of languages Santa Claus itself is only called Father Christmas or some variation of this (like my native language Portuguese. He's called Papai Noel here in Brazil, with papai meaning daddy and Noel being the french word for Christmas that probably was borrowed with to the early immigrants centuries ago, wouldn't be the first one; and in Portugal he's called Pai Natal, simply Father Christmas), and Saint Nicholas (like in Saint Nick) is just for the historical figure, Saint Nicholas of Myra; not usually being associated with the Christmas figure aside from its historical origins. So, as far as I was concerned, Father Christmas was just an old English name for Santa Claus (which was more similar with other languages) that fell out of use. Kinda interesting to see that originally there was a distinction between the two.

[@tinasattler1]

Hail aslan I love this aslan is coming soon

[@caseyoung1527]

Video begins at 3:12. And it's an amazing one

[@m.j.vazquez4720]

merry Christmas

[@narnia-mazerunner-fan]

Merry Christmas

[@nielsbakker3929]

maybe about the backstory of the pevensie family

[@Margatatials]

I think the real question is "'Is Father Christmas, St Nicholas of Myra?" we know in from the Silver Chair (and the Last Battle), that it possible for a person that has already physically died in body to travel to another world and do things there, so it is theoretically possible that upon his death in 343 Aslan gave St Nicholas the additional task of being Father Christmas in other worlds.

[@LordWyatt]

What happened to the humans between the time of Frank and Hellen and the entry of Lucy into the Wastelands? Did they die when the 100 year winter began or before the Tree of Protection was even lost? Perhaps their descendants refused incest (for obvious reasons) and simply died out 25-50 years after the beginning of Narnia (which adds up with the Mythological view of humans)🤔perhaps their deaths meant a time when the Tree wasn’t protected/taken care of and that’s when Jadis sent a storm (or a natural storm) and destroyed the Tree to allow her return. Love the videos and background music:)

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Great questions! Long story short, King Frank and Queen Helen did have descendants. They may have had spouses from other worlds, our world as well, since other humans have occasionally found their way into Narnia as well. Have you watched my video about the timeline of Narnia? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKrCn5WflKyfbc0

[@LordWyatt]

@@IntotheWardrobe no but I will, thank you 🙏

[@_inSight__]

This artwork is insane, where did you find it?

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Thanks for noticing, this aspect takes the most time! We're talking 20+ hours. I created nearly all of the art using digital tools like MidJourney and Photoshop. The 3 channel intro shots and Caspian's Horn are concept art for the films by Henrik Tamm and Justin Sweet. And of course there are some of Pauline Baynes' original illustrations as well!

[@_inSight__]

@@IntotheWardrobe could you illustrate my poetry? I started writing 10 years ago because of the narnia series and my stories are actually set within the framework that C.S.Lewis created.

[@meganfoster8838]

It's always a bit strange hearing about the "wrongness" of winter coming without a Christmas when you live in the Southern Hemisphere. But we know that winter certainly is bleak and dark without a celebration of light, hope and renewal during the darkest days (sigh!).

[@IntotheWardrobe]

It's definitely a metaphor that only works in certain contexts! But an endless summer? I would probably trade Christmas for that!

[@Bombiedude.]

Oh since in the 1st movie mr tumnus said something about them not having christmas my family doesnt classify it as a christmas movie we actually watch it all year around and theres not really a writen rule book that decides if it is a christmas movie or not and thats the best part of it is that we can watch what we want when we want

[@AstroMonkey88]

I never knew the difference between Santa and Father Christmas. Now that I know, I see the Gospel in these stories even clearer, as he is similar John the Baptist.

[@modestflamingo7272]

W narnia!!!!

[@allisonrivero9252]

I have found my people🥰🦁 Just finished the entire chronicles again on Audible....great performances, BTW. I've loved Narnia and C.S. Lewis since I was little. These are still my favorite books, even though I'm 38. The author of this channel seems to be my age! What a nice confirmation! I've been looking for concept art for Narnia that I could purchase, and all I could find were Justin Sweet's amazing pieces on Pinterest, but they're not for sale anywhere. Etsy art tends to be too commercial. Do any of you know where I could find the fan art for sale that he shows on this channel? I just don't know the fan art sites, I guess.

[@farid1406]

From Jadis's perspective, of course she couldn't understand Aslan's superiority to her. This was a woman who annihilated all life on her planet, possibly her entire universe. She likely thought she was the most powerful being in existence, or had the potential to be.

[@nl396]

Jadis hated Christmas more than Oliver Cromwell.

[@user-ik4kh9lt6d]

I still think Father Christmas in Narnia is Santa.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

Is there any chance your sponsor will send their new graphic novel series to libraries? If so, I would read it

[@jarongreen5480]

Hello! I am one of the founders of Summertime studios and author of Long live the Emperor. Yes, once our studio grows a bit we do plan to send stuff to libraries. as is we're a bit small to manage that on a sizable scale.

[@marcusblackwell2372]

@@jarongreen5480 Fair enough. I honestly would read your book, but I don't want to pay for it because I don't want to pay for something and then not read it after a while. It's not your fault, you understand

[@helenakrieger5880]

Father Christmas =Santa Claus=St. Nicholas

[@traceursebas]

Did you use AI-illustrations for this video? Really enjoy your channel btw!

[@IntotheWardrobe]

Yes, with a lot of generations & editing in Photoshop. MidJourney is my tool of choice, but I use Stable Diffusion Infinity for outpainting as well.

[@stefaniastolz8830]

Waaaait a second! There is a Narnia discord?! Ps : Merry Christmas even if I am late to the game!

[@nicholewilde4750]

Is Lucy’s dagger the only one of Father Christmas’ gifts that is lost to time?

[@jasmineshaw6747]

i was looking for a comment about the dagger! a few people online say her dagger is given in the books. may just be a case of an accidental gloss over :( would've loved to hear more about it.

[@rebekahedmunds7542]

I always thought the prophecies came after Jadis began her winter reign?

[@IntotheWardrobe]

We don't really know when the prophecies were given.

[@YamiSpyroX]

I still feel deeply bothered that one of JRR Tolkien's 'petty' reasons for being so unsupportive of Lewis's Narnia pilot (When Lewis was nearly nothing but loving to LOTR) was the inclusion of Father Christmas. Like Tolkien! In your Father Christmas letters you had Santa fighting Goblins and even a ruddy Dragon! You put an 'human' creation right there in the mix of the Mythical ones! I think Father Christmas might be a surviving descendant from Frank's family, hence why he's solemn and serious and why Jadis would view Christmas as a threat. BTW interesting note about those petrifed animals. It looked like 'in-book' that not only were there a bunch of petrified wolves there actually was among them a Dragon whom was petrified. Therefor a dragon Rebelled against the Which, and hence would be fighting as an Narnian! Hoh' boy I could only image Tolkien's reaction if Lewis directly put that in the story! (Makes the dragons fate in Narnia look worse for wear.) I hope Netflix could show that.

[@bigsarge2085]

✌️

[@nmoney6655]

I love Aslan almost as much as I love Jesus

[@Hallows4]

Allegedly, Tolkien was so annoyed at Lewis' mashing-together of so many tropes and traditions without a coherent framework that it almost discouraged Lewis from publishing The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at all.

[@jamesgravil9162]

"Humans [in Narnia] were considered to be mythological creatures..." Which doesn't make any sense, considering that there are whole countries full of humans just outside of Narnia *during the White Witch's reign.* Calormen, Archenland and the Lone Isles to name a few. Did everyone somehow forget about them?

[@IntotheWardrobe]

In the Horse and His Boy we discover that the neighboring countries knew of Jadis' power and completely avoided Narnia. The people of Narnia were geopolitically isolated for so long that the existence of humans became considered to be a myth.

[@jamesgravil9162]

@@IntotheWardrobe Narnia is separated from Calormen by a vast desert, so I suppose it's possible there wasn't much commerce between the two countries. Archenland, however, is right next to Narnia, and was ruled by a human at the time of Jadis's reign, so that's difficult to explain. Also, Mr. Tumnus and other characters remembered what life was like in Narnia before the Hundred-Year Winter, so they must have had memories of humans from that time too? Also, I wonder why no one from any of these neighbouring countries thought of sending two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve to Cair Paravel to break the Witch's curse? If the Beavers knew of the prophecy, surely King Lune of Archenland must have known! He even had two very young sons (Corin and Cor) during the events of the first book! Who knows, if Lucy hadn't stumbled through the Wardrobe and Cor (aka Shasta) wasn't sent away, maybe it would have been left to the two brothers and a couple of random girls to lead an insurgency against the White Witch. Could make for an interesting fanfic.