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The church has entered the holy season of Advent, a time of wondrous expectation
when we gather and ponder the mystery of God incarnate. How could it be
that the Creator and Master of the entire physical known universe could become
so small, less than the smallest atom on a speck of dust, to be born as one of
us? This is a deep and inscrutable mystery beyond all form of human
comprehension.
“Unto us a Child is Born” ponders this mystery through the creative gift of art.
Looking at these works, taking them in with a contemplative eye and heart, one
begins to cross the boundary between this world and the world of spirit.
It is from this world of spirit and devotion that these works of art originate.
There is no limit to the styles or media presented here; there are paintings,
drawings, woodblocks, photographs, sculptures, vestments, etc. Yet all
reflect the creative imagination of souls seeking and embracing the mystery of
God coming to dwell in our midst, Emmanuel!
The opening piece titled: “O War Torn
Town of Bethlehem” by
Donna Rathert is one of ironic paradox. In this work the birth
of this wondrous Semitic child brings joy to the heart of Mary, who embraces
the child in her arms, but this Christ child is wrapped in swaddling cloth
in the colors of the Palestinian flag, and Mary wears a head scarf with the
Star of David on it. It is as if to say that this child is born into
the world to bring together that which would never come together except by
the grace and love of God. The odious barrier wall surrounding the
young maiden and child reflect the tragic reality of life in Bethlehem today
where Christian and Muslim Palestinian children live behind what Archbishop
Desmond Tutu has identified as an apartheid wall. There is a feeling
of foreboding in this work, of uncertainty, and indeed this puts into a modern
context the fear Mary and Joseph must have experienced when they fled the
birth place of our Lord to protect the child from slaughter. Sadly
today, over 20 centuries later, a mother trying to escape from Bethlehem
with her child could very well be shot and killed. This gives us much
to ponder in this Advent season as we continue to rest our hopes in the birth
of Christ, while praying and working toward peace in the Holy Land and beyond. In
spite of the oppressive elements in this work, the power and sanctity of
this most holy night are present, and the gaze of the Christ child looking
into the eyes of Mary remains firm, fearless, and confident.
I invite the viewers to enter the mystery of the incarnation through these
holy images and discover for themselves what these images represent for their
lives. Each interpretation will be unique for art has the power to
touch us individually at the core of our souls, and reveal things hidden. Collectively
these images illustrate the many different expressions the movement from
darkness to light can take. Advent is a time in which we move from
darkness to light. We have been gifted here by artists in our ever
evolving Episcopal Church whose styles are as diverse as the many views in
the church on a plethora of issues; nevertheless they all celebrate the wondrous
birth of the Christ Child, the ultimate gift of humility, God from whom all
things are born, birthing into the world as one of us. It is time to
rejoice, for soon the light of the world will be upon us. Rejoice, Rejoice!!!
The Rev. Wilfredo Benitez-Rivera
Curator, Unto Us
To begin viewing the
Exhibition, please click
HERE.
To view the Thumbnail Gallery, please click
HERE. |
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