We have not done much these past weeks in Advent, with the art of Ukraine, and as the war there rages on and on, with the people living through another war, we present some new art (at least for me) during this Holy Season of the Child’s birth. Most of us, in our country have food and shelter, heat and water, and so celebrate in comfort. We must not forget those who have none of these necessities for survival.
An unusual, but very lovely scene by Uliana Krekhovets titled “Nativity Scene”, shows the Virgin Mary extending her cloak to dampen the flames in a besieged city, while the swaddled Baby Jesus lies safe on the far shore of a body of water. The flowing river serves as a symbolic boundary between war and peace, life and death, the past and the future. In place of the shepherds and wise men, and overcrowded boat of Ukrainian refugees draws near the Child with eyes fixed on Him, hoping against hope, that He comes to bring them peace.
The poem by Madeleine L' Engle completes the meditation for this wonderous day.
The Risk of Birth, Christmas, 1973This is no time for a child to be born,
With the earth betrayed by war & hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out & the sun burns late.That was no time for a child to be born,
In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;
Honor & truth were trampled by scorn —
Yet here did the Savior make his home.
When is the time for love to be born?
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn —
Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.
No comments:
Post a Comment