Etching; Rembrandt van Rijn, 1654,Rosenwald Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Image Courtesy NGA Open Access
Do you remember all those wonderful lessons you learned in your vacation bible school days?
All the fun crafts and memorizing your bible verses…the cookies…and for me it was all about the songs. When did we stop singing those songs? Jesus loves me this I know…and the one that came back to me this week…”All around the neighborhood I’m going to let it shine.”
So I am making it my mission to get out into the community and meet people. I am going out of my safe place and seeing how other people worship. I want to try and see the bigger picture, the bigger church family; bigger than just the 50 or so people I cling to every Sunday. Isn’t this what Jesus tells us to do? “Let your light Shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5: 16 NIV
This is so simple but a life time of hiding my light needs to be overcome…pray for me.
Enjoy this simple black and white etching by Rembrandt. Notice how the image of Jesus in the manger is glowing. Ask yourself
how does he do that?” Look closer, enjoy all the different characters he portrays in this scene.
The Holy Family
The Shepherds, the little boy peeking over the fence, the cattle….think of how Jesus came to this lowly setting to let his light shine. ” …and the light shined in darkness…” John 1: 5
See how his light shone in the darkness and notice now how the darkness of the lines is what makes the picture glow.
God Thru the Arts 