Jesus with Joseph

Georges de La Tour 1593 - 1652 painting located in Paris - Musee de Louvre
Saint Joseph Charpentier.
Notice the translucent hands of Jesus; de la Tours indication of Jesus being someone
special .... note the connections with Light in the Gospels.
The Gospel of Matthew deliberately connects Joseph with Jesus. "This book contains the family tree of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
vv 2 - 6 Abraham to David 6 - 11 David to Josiah at the time of the Exile
12 - Joseph ' husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called "Messiah'

Birth of Jesus

Adoration of the Shepherds ca 1655 Bertolome Murillo ( 1618 - 1682 ) Spain.


The significance of shepherds and the folk from afar - Babylon? recognising the importance of this particular Birth was and remains profoundly important. There are no signs of divinity in this painting. It is the birth of a child. The Word became flesh and lived among us and we seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth
Matthew records this birth fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah .. God is with us.
Note the political realities of the situation. A king is born .... challenge to Herod and to Caesar. The Birth of Jesus is both wonderful news and confronting news.
Political Dynamite.

Incarnation

"When You walked here,
took skin, muscle, hair,
eyes, larynx, we
withheld all honour: 'His house is clay,
how can he tell us of His far country?"

- Margaret Avison

I read these poems in 1967 - 68 they continue to resonate today.

O Come All Ye Faithful