12.19.2023 PBPC Family Bulletin
PBPC Family,
In preparing for this final week of Advent and meditating on Mary's "Yes!" to God, I came across THESE icons by Anne Emmons, called Birth Triptych. Traditionally, icons are images of biblical figures, Christian saints, or of God. They have been used as prayer aids, windows to look through to behold God's beauty.
Anne Emmons created the Birth Triptych as a way to meditate on God's presence in Mary's womb as her body clothed God's Son with flesh. Each painting represents a different gestational phase, beautifully depicting the natural manner in which God became human.
This Advent, we have spent a lot of time reflecting on songs - those sung by Zechariah, Simeon, and Mary as well as Advent hymns. Many of these songs do a wonderful job communicating and expressing the wonder of Christ's coming to us, his incarnation here on earth. These icons, at least for me, have amplified and deepened my experience of these hymns and songs. To artistically imagine Jesus as a fetus, each organ and limb patiently formed in the womb opens up the wonder and mystery of Christ's birth.
In the coming week, I invite you to spend some time with these images. Maybe listen to (or even sing if you feel comfortable) "What Child Is This?" so that, through sight and sound, you may be drawn more deeply into the wonder of Christmas.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Calvin
Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve at 4pm
