Christmas Painting 2017

Title: O Come, let us adore Christ the Lord!

This painting depicts three views: a microscopic view of God’s angel appearing and delivering the message to the shepherds, a church community view of shepherds (pastors and church leaders) guiding their flock towards a Christ-oriented life journey, a macroscopic view of the hope of the second coming of Christ.

(1) The Microscopic View:

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.’”(Luke 2:8-12 The Message)

Above was the vision of God’s angel delivered to the shepherds in the neighbourhood of Bethlehem.

“At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. ‘Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.’” (Luke 2:13-18 The Message)

I wonder if the shepherds left the sheep and hurried off (as fast as they can) for the above vision God given to them through the angel, or they hurried off with their sheep. My husband said, “Good shepherds won’t leave their sheep, only hired hand would leave the sheep.” That has something to do with John 10:13. I also had done research, and discovered sheep can gallop up to 40 Km/hr! They hurried off so that they could make it with the flock, or they hurried off so they could return back as fast as they could to the flock? 

(2) The Church Community View:

The flock is a symbol of the congregation. The shepherds are a representation of the pastors and church leaders. The shepherds are plural; the flock needs a pastoral team working closely together, complementing and accountable to each other on guiding their sheep towards a Christ-oriented journey. In terms of leadership, the shepherds walk behind and alongside with their flock of sheep for alignment and caring, rather than walking in front of the flock. The flock, although appears to be quite fluffy, its fluffiness inhabitates smelliness!

You are welcome to join us on the journey towards a Christ-oriented community.

(3) The Macroscopic View:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega (A to Z),” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8 NIV)

You might recognize there is a judge wearing a wig, in which Jesus is the mouthpiece. Running down from the wig are the arms and body extending to all. The manger cave is of the letter shape Omega Ω, and the circular shade of light inside the cave and along with the two rays penetrating through the slits make up the letter Alpha α.

Appendix - The Pilgrimage of this Painting:

I started out with a much wider span of scripture, which included the sages visiting Herod and the city of Jerusalem; however, the painting didn’t quite turn out from what I had been expecting. The upcoming Herod’s order of killing all baby boys was distracting. I was a little bit frustrated, so I had discarded the first painting, which included the sages visiting Herod and Jerusalem, plus the birth of Jesus, Bethlehem and the shepherds/flock. I prayed again. I took out another piece of canvas and started painting the background without any ideas in my mind but only by focusing on the birth of Jesus, Bethlehem, the shepherds/sheep, the hope and the guidance. All a sudden when I was moving the thick paint around and around, I had an urge of turning it into a circle at the upper middle. Then everything came naturally, or should I say flowing from the Spirit as guided by God. Thank God and Amen: all troubles continue in the world and around us, but only by focusing on Christ and discerning for His voice (as shepherds heard the angel), then we will be guided in His Peace and towards His vision.  The red stain, the blood from the massacre of the innocents by Herod (Matthew 2:16), in the dark purple colour at the background represents wickedness and darkness; however, the true Light penetrated through it. The Light penetrates through the slits in the rock and shines in the darkness (c.f. John 1:5).