The Gospel According to Les Mis

I think it's fair to say that I am IN LOVE with the story of Les Mis. I saw the movie several years ago, and then this spring when Broadway Across America came to Austin, I saw it here. It was a spiritual experience - I love musicals, and I'm pretty sure I cried - a lot.

Earlier this fall, a group of friends hosted a "Les Miserables Party" which included the viewing of the movie (with Liam Neeson). Everyone invited brought a French-inspired dish: we had beef bourguignon, French onion soup, bread, salad, and my contribution - creme brulee! So fun to make (burn!) AND eat.

I, of course, dressed up! Nothing like Goodwill to provide a perfect outfit!

Part of the reason the party occurred was to get excited about the upcoming release of the musical this Christmas. A few of the party members had read the book, and I was just starting. My progress was slow, as my copy was on my Kindle app on my iPhone, and my bedtime ritual was in competition with crossword puzzles. To date, I'm about 1/3 of the way through. My goal is to make it halfway (the 8 year break) before tomorrow night when I see it in theaters. We'll see if that happens!

As I've been reading, though, I've fallen in LOVE with the story even more. I researched some background on Victor Hugo, and it surprised me that although he grew up in the church, he considered himself a Freethinker most of his life. This story in particular is laced with spiritual themes, and it surprised me because Hugo wasn't subscribed to that line of thought at the time.

The Gospel is all about Christ coming and saving us that were lost. In the Les Mis story, little Cosette is stuck living with the Thenadiers since her mom couldn't take care of her, being their slave, while their own two daughters play and enjoy all the benefits of having parents. It is such a beautiful scene when Jean Valjean, the protagonist, comes to rescue her. He does so only because Fantine, her mother, requested that he go and get her on her deathbed. But when he arrives, he is overcome by the situation Cosette is in. When he makes a deal with the Thenadiers, he is firm, protective, and doesn't take no for an answer. It reminded me of Psalm 18, especially these verses:

¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but the Lord was my support.
¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.

The fierceness of Jean Valjean's love for Cosette only grows as the pair make their way out of Mountfermeil. They find shelter in a small town for a few months, and this quote is one of my favorites:

 "When [Jean Valjean] did not take Cosette with him, she remained with the old 
woman; but the child's delight was to go out with the good man. 
She preferred an hour with him to all her rapturous tete-a-tetes with Catherine [her doll]. 

He held her hand as they walked, and said sweet things to her."

-(Vol II, Book Fourth, Ch IV)

It is very similar to this oft-quoted verse from Hosea:

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness;

and speak tenderly to her."

-Hosea 2:14

Time after time, scene after scene, I am captured by the depiction of God's love that Victor Hugo so beautifully crafts. I wonder if he knew what he was writing. I wonder if he knows how his work is more than just a story of hope, it's a story of Jesus coming to earth to save us. A story of unfailing love; isn't that what Christmas is about? 

Merry Christmas! May His hope capture your heart today - in all the places you feel forsaken or lost - He will come!

(P.S. Ten years ago today my mother took me into the ER because of a 5-day high fever. One month later, when I was released, I began a new chapter in my life of recovery and restoration after receiving a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. As I was reminiscing with my mom about that today, we both agreed God has done a mighty work in my heart and body - I don't really remember what it felt like! That is the hope that Jesus brings - even what we think is impossible can happen!)