Today's Gospel in Art: The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby

The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Giorgione © National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 1st January 2022 - Luke 2:16-21

The shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him, and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say. As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

Reflection on the Painting

In today's Gospel reading we read how 'the shepherds hurried away to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger'. We see this scene beautifully depicted in our painting by Giorgione. Also known as the Allendale Nativity (named after a former owner of this painting), we see a stark contrast between the dark grotto on the right and the extensive, bright landscape which form the entire left half of the painting. Jesus is already placed outside the protective walls of the grotto, into the wider world. On the central axis we see two shepherds kneeling. They are the centre of our attention in today's reading and reflection.

There is a lovely sense of intimacy. The shepherds are the first to recognise Christ's divinity and kneel therefore accordingly after having taken off their hats. Mary and Joseph, both richly vested, also participate in prayerful adoration, their clothes in contrast with the humble clothes of the shepherds. Small winged angel heads are floating above the scene. The leaves of the trees are especially well painted.

Today's reading is a wonderful example of how the spreading of the faith works. The shepherds repeated to Mary and Joseph the message that had been given to them by the angels. So just as the angels served as God's messengers to the shepherds, now the shepherds served as God's messengers to Mary and Joseph. What the angles told the shepherds, now got repeated by the shepherd to the Holy Family. We hear the Good News and we share it, and then it will get shared again, etc… On this first day of 2022 we renew the joy we discover in the Gospels, so that we can share it with others throughout the year…

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1040
Christian Art - www.christian.art/