This
Friday Five is to wish you all a very Happy Christmas – or ‘Festive
Season’ if you don’t celebrate the Christian festival. Unfortunately in
the western world, Christmas has become so commercialised that it
barely makes any connection
with the event which lies behind it. To discover another perspective,
let’s turn the clock back to 1644 and a painting by the French baroque
artist Georges de La Tour, called ‘Nativity – Adoration of the
Shepherds’.
In the biblical story, the shepherds were the first people to learn about the birth of Jesus, from an angel who said,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
De
La Tour sees the shepherds as symbolic of ordinary people – in contrast
to the wealthy, influential Magi who would later come and worship the
child. In fact only one of the characters gathered next to the
prayerful, watchful Mary is
obviously a shepherd, with a lamb and his staff in his hand. Next to
him is a more shadowy figure, holding a musical instrument, then a woman
carrying a pot with a lid on it – perhaps with some hot soup for the
family. Lastly an old man, who holds the candle
and shields it from any draught which might blow it out.
The
artist seems to understand that people from all walks of life can come
to Christ, to know and be known as they are – bringing what they have in
their hands. The shepherd came with the tools of his trade, the
musician brought his talent,
the woman her hospitality, and the old man his wisdom and experience.
What
is in your hands? Whether it’s your professional skill, your creative
talent, your daily service to your family, or your age and experience –
bring it all, says De La Tour, to this ordinary yet glorious child whose
coming bridged
the unfathomable distance between heaven and earth.
