Gospel in Art: In the beginning was the Word + Christmas Video

The Nativity / The Adoration of the Kings, by Jan Gossaert, 1510 © National Gallery, London

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 December 2023
John 1:1-5,9-14

In the beginning was the Word: and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him. All that came to be had life in him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.

The Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and he was coming into the world. He was in the world that had its being through him, and the world did not know him. He came to his own domain and his own people did not accept him. But to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man but of God himself.

The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory, the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Reflection on the Altar Painting

Many of us will have spent time, energy and money over these past days looking for gifts for people for Christmas. But why do we give gifts to each other at Christmas time? We probably feel that it is expected of us. True. However, at a much deeper level, we give gifts because we are aware that at the heart of the feast of Christmas is God's giving. God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. At Christmas, we celebrate God's gift to us of his Son. By us buying presents for each other, replicates that sense of giving which is at the heart of our Christian faith.

The big difference between our giving and God's giving, is that our giving of gifts at Christmas is always selective. Most of us probably make a short list of those we have to buy for. We buy for a select few. God's giving is not selective in that way. God gives his Son equally to us all. In the words of the gospel reading, Jesus, the Word, is the light that enlightens all people. Each one of us therefore is equally graced by the gift of God's Son.

We may have hesitated to receive this gift in the past. Nevertheless God continues to hold out to us all the gift of his Son. And today in particular, at Christmas, God is saying to each of us, 'Come and receive this amazing gift I am giving you. All we need to do is accept it, unwrap it and treasure it.

Our large altarpiece painting by Jan Gossaert was painted circe 1510. The composition is wonderfully crammed with peasants, animals, angels and richly dressed kings and courtiers... all people coming to worship the infant Jesus. The artist has signed the painting on the hat of Balthasar, the king on the left, and on the silver collar of his attendant. In a palatial but ruined building, the Virgin Mary sits with the Christ Child on her lap. She holds a golden goblet containing gold coins, the lid of which lies at her feet. This is the gift of the elderly king, Caspar, who kneels before her, his hat and sceptre on the ground. Christ holds one of the coins in his left hand, accepting the gift. Between Balthasar and the Virgin, Saint Joseph leans on his staff and gazes up at the angels hovering in the air above. Plenty more to look at in this painting, but no time to explain everything... Christmas Day awaits.

Wishing you all a very blessed day,

Father Patrick

PS You can watch our Christmas video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbGRGobXheo

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/john-1-1-59-14-2023