1
2
Visions of Christmas
Once again, we will hear the Christmas account, and we will visualize this familiar happening. We all have in our mind’s eye what the annunciation, trip to Bethlehem, birth in a rustic stable, visit of the Magi, and encounter with Simeon and Anna look like. What if we stretch our imagination and experience what others see? Visio Divino is a spiritual discipline that makes use of art as a medium for spiritual transformation. This practice invites you to see and explore the entirety of an image in God’s presence and go beyond your simple first and second impressions to a deeper place where you can be surprised by God. Over the next twenty-five days of December, the Spiritual Life Development Department is inviting you to travel through some of these well-read happenings of the birth of the Savior of the world from the eyes of numerous artists that will include ancient classics to modern renderings. The following suggested steps for Visio Divino: • Spend some quiet time viewing the day’s artwork. • Stay focused. • Relax and open your heart and mind to what God is bringing to your attention. • Be aware of your emotions as you view the image. • Consider journaling your initial impressions, feelings, thoughts, questions, or memories. • Pray that through this experience, the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. Join us on the journey through the Visions of Christmas and experience Advent from a new perspective.
3
December 1
The Annunciation, by Henry Ossawa Tanner USA
4
Gabriel’s Visit Scripture to Ponder
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. Luke 1:26-32 (NLT)
Consider…
Study the facial expression and body language of Mary. What has God brought to mind as you study this painting? Rest in the revelation.
5
December 2
Virgin Mary and Angel in Annunciation Scene, by Bernardo Ramonfaur Mexico
6
Call of Mary Scripture to Ponder
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.” Luke 1:35-37 (NLT)
Consider…
To what part of the picture is your eye drawn? What is you prayerful response to this image?
7
December 3
Mary and Elizabeth, by Carl Heinrich Bloch Copenhagen
8
Elizabeth & Mary Scripture to Ponder
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:39-44 (NLT)
Consider…
What thoughts are conjured up as you view this image? What might each woman be feeling?
9
December 4
Magnificat, by Sister Mary Grace Thul USA
10
Mary, a Humble Servent Scripture to Ponder
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. Luke 1:46-50 (NLT)
Consider…
How do you identify with the figure in this image? Think through the following words from the scripture: “lowly,” “Mighty,” “mercy.” What has come to mind? December 5 – The Magnificat
11
December 5
Magnificat, by Jean-Baptiste Jouvenet France
12
Magnificat Scripture to Ponder
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” Luke 1:51-55 (NLT)
Consider…
What emotion is evoked as you view this image?
13
December 6
The Naming of St John the Baptist, by Francesco Solimena Liverpool
14
The Birth & Naming of John the Baptist
Scripture to Ponder
When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!” “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God. Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Luke 1:57-66 (NLT)
Consider…
What attracts you to this image? Is there something that repels you in this image? Why?
15
December 7
The Dream of Saint Joseph, by Anton Raphael Mengs Germany
16
The Dream of Joseph Scripture to Ponder
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21 (NLT)
Consider…
What thoughts, memories, emotions, or questions conjure up from viewing this image?
17
December 8
King Herod Asking the Scribes Where Jesus Will Be Born, by Leonard Bramer Italy
18
Herod & the Magi Scripture to Ponder
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” Matthew 2:1-8 (NLT)
Consider…
What do you notice first in this image? Contemplate it for a minute. What is your prayerful response to this image?
19
December 9
The Massacre of the Innocents, by Léon Cogniet France
20
Herod’s Murdering Spree Scripture to Ponder
Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” Matthew 2:16-18 (NLT)
Consider…
What attracts you to this image? Is there something that repels you in this image? What have you learned from your response?
21
December 10
Journey to Bethlehem, by Mike Moyers USA
22
The Journey to Bethlehem Scripture to Ponder
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. Luke 2:1-6 (NLT)
Consider…
Imagine the effort that went into what is depicted in the image. What is your prayerful response?
23
December 11
Census at Bethlehem, by Pieter Brueghel the Younger Belgium
24
The Census at Bethlehem Scripture to Ponder
…there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7 (NLT)
Consider…
What do you notice first in the image? Contemplate it for a minute. Do not rush through the process. What has come to mind? Rest in the revelation.
25
December 12
A New Star, by Jorge Cocco Argentina
26
The Nativity Scripture to Ponder
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger… Luke 2:6-7 (NLT)
Consider…
What is God saying to you in this image?
27
December 13
Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds, by Govert Flinck Netherlands
28
Fear Not Scripture to Ponder
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 (NLT)
Consider…
What first caught your attention in this image? How do you relate to what you have been drawn to?
29
December 14
Angel & Shepherds, by He Qi China
30
Glory to God in the Highest Scripture to Ponder
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15 (NLT)
Consider…
What is happening in your life that reflects in this image? What is your prayerful response?
31
December 15
Adoration of the Shepherds, by Caravaggio Italy
32
The Shepherds Meet the Babe Scripture to Ponder
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished… Luke 2:15-18 (NLT)
Consider…
Study the facial expressions of the characters in this image. What do you imagine the emotion of each of the characters to be? What is your prayerful response to this image?
33
December 16
Madonna Tempi, by Raffaello Sanzio (Raphael) Italy
34
Mother & Child Scripture to Ponder
…but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:19 (NLT)
Consider…
What is God saying to you through this image? What is your prayerful response to this image?
35
December 17
The Journey of the Magi, by James Tissot USA
36
Traveling to See the Babe Scripture to Ponder
…the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9 (NLT)
Consider…
What thoughts, emotions, or questions are conjured up from the viewing of this image?
37
December 18
TheThree Wise Men, by Joseph Christian Leyendecker USA
38
Gifts of the Magi Scripture to Ponder
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10 (NLT)
Consider…
What catches your attention? Why do you think that is? What is God saying to you through this image?
39
December 19
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino) Italy
40
Jesus Presented at the Temple Scripture to Ponder
Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived. Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Luke 2:21-24 (NLT)
Consider…
As you look at the image, what do you notice first? Contemplate it for a minute, do not rush through the process. Expand your gaze to the details around what caught your attention. What is your response?
41
December 20
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, by Rembrandt Netherlands
42
The Hope of Simeon Scripture to Ponder
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. Luke 2:25-27 (NLT)
Consider…
What is happening in this image? What is happening in my life that reflects the essence of this image?
43
December 21
Simeon’s Moment, by Ron DiCianni USA
44
Simeon’s Moment Scripture to Ponder
He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.” Luke 2:28-35 (NLT)
Consider…
What emotions were conjured up from viewing this image? What is God saying to you through this image?
45
December 22
The Prophetess Anna in the Temple, by Rembrandt Netherlands
46
Waiting for the Messiah Scripture to Ponder
Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 (NLT)
Consider…
What is God saying to you through this image? Rest in the revelation.
47
December 23
The Flight to Egypt, by Noël Hallé France
48
Flight to Egypt Scripture to Ponder
After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” Matthew 2:13-15 (NLT)
Consider…
Is there a detail in this image that attracts you? Is there something that repels you in this image?
49
December 24
The Holy Family of Nazareth, by Cameron Smith USA
50
Returning to Nazareth Scripture to Ponder
When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. Luke 2:39-40 (NLT)
Consider…
What thoughts, memories, emotions, or questions conjure up from viewing this image? What is God saying to you today through this image?
51
December 25
The Event, by Glenn Bautista Philippines
52
He Came to Give Us Life Scripture to Ponder
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NLT)
Consider…
What story does this image tell? What has God revealed to you through this image? Rest in the revelation.
Merry Christmas!
53
Spiritual Life Development Department The Salvation Army USA East 440 West Nyack Rd West Nyack, NY 10994
54