Wherein the Christ Child is Laid
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| Wherein the Christ Child is Laid, 2011 |
This is
a repost of a sketch that I did in 2011. I would probably make some changes to the drawing if I were to do it again or expand it into a larger work. However, I think that it is appropriate to
share once again as we near Christmas. The drawing is inspired mostly by quote
by Luther in his preface to the Old Testament:
"For these are the Scriptures
which make fools of all the wise and understanding, and are open only to the
small and simple, as Christ says in Matthew 11[:25]. Therefore dismiss your own
opinions and feelings, and think of the Scriptures as the loftiest and noblest
of holy things, as the richest of mines which can never be sufficiently
explored, in order that you may find that divine wisdom which God here lays
before you in such simple guise as to quench all pride. Here you will find the
swaddling cloths and the manger in which Christ lies, and to which the angel
points the shepherds [Luke 2:12]. Simple and lowly are these swaddling cloths,
but dear is the treasure, Christ, who lies in them" (LW 35:236).
As we
approach, this Christmas season, we see that the Old Testament Scriptures have
foretold of Christ's birth. The Scriptures are the "loftiest and noblest of holy things." And to the eyes of the world, they look like mere swaddling cloths. But
indeed, they deliver point us to and deliver Christ. In this drawing, I
incorporated the beginning of the text from Isaiah 53. For this Christ child is
the suffering servant who went to the cross to atone for us and make us His own. Thus, on Christmas we look back to the promises fulfilled and forward to the work of the Word-made-flesh (John 1:14) on Good Friday and Easter morning. We today look further forward to the day of His return.
"No more
let sins and sorrows grow,
nor
thorns infest the ground;
He comes
to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found,
far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found”
(Joy to the World, stz. 3)
