Folk Series Collection
Part 2
Where I share a poem I wrote & the inspiration at the heart of this painting.
Oh child
Little Prince
Swaddled in old rags
You could have had…
The planets as your mobile
Golden sunbeams for a crown
The galaxies, your play-yard
The heavens as your home
But you chose instead a mother
To be held close, and rocked, and nursed
Your blanket, her sweet kisses
Your throne, her gentle arms
Your lullaby, her singing, instead of angel choirs
God with us
God with us
God is near
God in us
As I thought about what I wanted to communicate in this piece, the following words played over and over in my mind:
"God with us... God with us… God with us…”
Sit in the truth of that phrase a moment. Breathe the words in slowly, and then out slowly.
"God....
with....
us..."
Do you see the sweetness in the way this little family snuggles together, holding each other close? Do you hear the Lord’s invitation to you? “Let me come near. I want to be with you. I love you.” As I whisper those words, my body involuntarily returns to a state of calm. My shoulders relax, the adrenaline slows.
Moving outward from the heart-center of the painting, a vast galaxy encircles the Holy Family. The intimacy of family is contrasted with expansive galaxies, a multitude of stars, the richness of color - all speaking to the greatness of God. A God most powerful and most beautiful, a God great in wonder - It is that God who came near to us.
It is that God who continues to come near to us. He marks the mundane with the glory of His splendor, and He raises the poor to a place higher than Kings.
O man, do you not realize by what means Christ pursues you in order to call you back? He enters the womb in order to refashion you in the womb; he is born in order to make you reborn to immortality; he becomes the Firstborn in order to offer you a share in the divine lineage."
St. Peter Chrysologus (5th century)
Next things
In the next few weeks I will continue to share this series with you! Also, I plan to finish book illustrations this week, and soon Christmas cards and limited edition Nativity prints will be available. Thanks for following along!
Sincerely,
Kristina