Artist’s Statement:

The Nativity, acrylic on panel, gold leaf, 16” x 20”

As I began research for this painting, I noticed that Western art historical images of The Nativity were painted by men. In the compositions, the Virgin Mary and Jesus were separate: the infant Jesus in a manger and Mary sitting nearby. As a mother of sons, my experience was different; I always held my infant sons in intimate closeness, and so I made my sketches reflect this maternal truth. I've since learned that in Eastern Christian icons Jesus is embraced by his Mother, Mary; the image is not meant to represent what they look like, but rather to symbolize their Nature. As Madeleine L'Engle states in her book, Walking on Water, "the icon represents some quality of Jesus, or his Mother ... and so becomes an open window through which we can be given a new glimpse of the love of God."

This painting symbolizes The Triune God of Love:

-the large gold circle represents God: Our Father —The Uncreated, Eternal and Mighty Light of Love;

-the small centre circle embodies God: Jesus, The Christ—The Peaceful newborn Son, Love Incarnate;

-the gold river visualizes God: The Holy Spirit —The Counsellor, Comforter of Love flowing with, in us.

Mother Mary holds, and is held by, God’s golden Presence. The wooden stable floor represents the earthly place where The God of Heaven descends to dwell with his people. Saint Anthony of Padua encourages us, like Mother Mary, "to become a humble and loving person who is enabled to hold, to nurture—to shelter the vulnerable and vast presence of God—our eternal state is the consequence”.

Elizabeth Brooks, Artist and Educator