Christmas is coming, but where is Jesus? Lippi's busy painting catches the chaos of our world. The painting was begun in Florence by Leonarda da Vinci, but he left it unfinished, having been called to Milan for other work. Eventually, Lippi was hired to finish it. It sounds like our Christmas, perhaps always unfinished. But in God's good grace, we are still blessed by Jesus' Daring Presence.
The painting on the right shows how it was left by
Leonardo unfinished. He never returned to finish
it, perhaps because of the political turmoil in Italy,
as different forces took territory back and forth in
his era. In the far background he actually included
a military conflict going on, while those in the
foreground are intent on worship.
Both his and Lippi’s finished work seem too busy,
with Jesus obscured by all the people and events
going on around him. But maybe Leonardo
intended us to see that although there was turmoil
in his world, he kept making glorious works of art. Perhaps we prefer something more realistic to picture Jesus’ coming, but I think this artistic genius was telling us something about the secret glory of Christ Jesus, a daring prince of peace arriving in a world full of confusion and conflicting powers.
Mary Ann and I celebrate with you the love God shows
in the daring coming of Jesus to be our Savior and Lord.
Every year we rejoice that Jesus’ coming is the best news
for the weary, distracted world of which we are a part.
We hope you will be blessed to spend time with others and
with Jesus’ blessed presence among you.
We wish you a blessed and happy Christmas !
Humility note: When first posted, I erroneously identified the primary artist as Michelangelo - and of course, it was the great Leonardo da Vinci. I love them both !
Adoration of the Magi -Filippino Lippi 1496
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I offer my thoughts hoping we encounter Jesus in a fresh way. These are conversations with anyone in the Gospel, sometimes Jesus, Luke, God, or other characters in the passage, plus a short prayer.
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