Gospel in Art: Feast of the Holy Family

The Holy Family, by Gari Melchers, 1891 © Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Belmont, Virginia

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 31 December 2023
Luke 2:22-40

When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord - observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord - and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord.

Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said: 'Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.'

As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and a sword will pierce your own soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'

There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.

When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God's favour was with him.

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This feast falls within the season of Christmastide and, since 1969, is held on the Sunday between Christmas Day and 1st January. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families.

Whilst the Gospels speak little of the life of the Holy Family in the years before Jesus' public ministry, we do have some glimpses that reveal the love, care and closeness of the holy Family: in passages such as the circumcision, the Presentation in the Temple, the Flight into Egypt, the Finding in the Temple... In art the Holy Family has always held a central place as a favoured subject matter. Mainly in Renaissance and counter-Reformation art the Holy Family became a popular subject, as it helped families to engage and mirror the example set by the Holy Family. We are encouraged to make the Holy Family of Nazareth a model and an inspiration for our own families.

Today's painting by Gari Melchers offers a beautiful glimpse into the life of the Holy Family. This nativity scene, shows us the loving dynamics between Our Lady, Saint Joseph and the Christ Child. The parents look tired and exhausted. The lantern by Jesus' little head is not lit; the true Light has come into the world now, no need for other lanterns. Mary is asleep. She has given everything. Without any time for finding a nice place to stay, they found just a cold, hard floor in the humblest of circumstances to bring Christ into the world. Set in a contemporary 19th century setting, viewers of this painting would have engaged with the subject as the Holy Family being present, here and now. The stable door is wide open: the whole world is invited in to see Jesus….

Our canvas was painted by Julius Garibaldi Melchers (1860-1932). He was the son of German immigrants who settled in Detroit. His father was a wood sculptor best known for making church furniture and statues. Melchers left Michigan at age 17, returning to Germany for art training. He painted several religious scenes set in a 19th century, thus engaging the viewer in new ways.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-2-22-39-40-2023/