Advent through the Darkness

~ I journeyed through the dark streets through many days of advent  ~ And arrived at a place of still greater darkness  ~ And in the darkness There came a vision ~ It was not the brightness Of Christmas lights ~  Or the glory of angels But the communication of God ~  Pregnant with meaning …

Advent Art (8) – An Overwhelming Annunciation

~ Perhaps this is the most beautiful angel ever painted? The painting is by Fra Angelico, and looking at the details, we notice a number of things. I see God’s assertive choice - notice the pointing finger and the words coming from the angel’s mouth. This is a God who chooses, who calls, who communicates. …

Advent Art (7) – Spirituality in the Background?

This painting reminds me of preparations for Christmas ... Lots of noise and jollity, with spiritual things sometimes left in the background. Did you even notice Moses at the back on the left, in the darkness? He brings the spiritual message but has already shattered one of the stone tablets ont he ground, when he’s …

ADVENT ART 5. GOD WAS HERE

What connection do you feel with heaven? The story of Jacob's dream of the “stairway to heaven” is magical. Perhaps the best moment is this: “God was in this place and I knew it not.” Isn’t that true all the time? We may be doing the most ordinary, apparently “unspiritual” thing like sleeping – as …

Advent Art (4) – An Invitation

This famous icon comes from the stories about Abraham.  Abraham offers hospitality to three visitors, who turn out to be angels – but in the painting it is the three angels – or the three persons of the Trinity – who offer hospitality to us! Do you notice how there is an empty place at …

Advent Art (2) – New Creations

~ In the New Testament, Jesus is sometimes described as “a second Adam”, and Christians as “a new creation”. In the Creation stories of Genesis, something profound is being said. The figure of Adam is “a type of the one to come”. God is Creator, intimately related to all of Creation. “In the beginning was …

Advent Art (1) – Light From Darkness

The light shines in the darkness. William Blake, who created the image above, was a rebel, and he sometimes portrays other people’s images of God as repressive and opposed to human freedom. In his image, Blake’s God has both the wisdom of age and the energy of youth. He is caught up in the wild energies of creation and …

At this Advent

 ~ At this advent And in this darkness ~ That there should be A separation ~  Of light From all that is not good ~  And a new calling To journey ~  On the way Of right.  ~  'The Ancient of Days', William Blake

Discovering the Surprising Shoots of Light

 . Clear paths Are quite rare  . But with the advent Of the dark season .  I began Again .  Through A tangled wood .  In the middle Years of life .  Stumbling On forgotten roots .  Discovering The surprising shoots .  Of light New hope . When all around Had seemed so bleak . …

New Love

  In the silence Is the advent   Of a mysterious Presence   More Than anything   I could express Or imagine   It is The expectation   Of new life Of a new way Of a new love.