An Irish Blanket
My mother knit together a beautiful Irish blanket as a wedding gift for my husband and me. The blanket includes Celtic knot patterns with delicate twists and spirals, that have deep meanings related to love and eternity. The blanket is a soft cream-colored wool with tassels on the ends. It is particularly meaningful because my mother is of Irish descent. I think of my ancestors in the distant past making similar blankets for their loved ones. When I rest the blanket on my lap on a chilly day, it reminds me of my mother’s love, my husband’s love, and God’s love.
A Leaping Cat
I created this drawing based on a photo from a Christmas party. In an intimate moment, a child sat on her mother’s lap as they sang carols together. This drawing also reminds me of knitting, because my friend Kathy asked for a copy of it to hang over the rocking chair where she knits. People like my mother and my friend Kathy, create beautiful hand-made gifts that are signs of their love and care.
I added multiple cats to my drawing, to create a sense of motion. I imagined the cat leaping off the child’s lap to peer out the doorway at the Christmas star, the same star the Wise Men followed to find the infant Christ. Cats have a certain mystery about them, so maybe this cat could see back in time to the magical night when Christ was born.
The Three Comings of Advent
There is an artistic tradition of depicting animals with the Christ-child laying in the manger. These images are based on the passage in Scripture that says “the ox knows its owner, the donkey its owner’s manger (Isaiah 1:3 NIV).” As well as the ox and donkey, other animals are often seen in Advent art such as deer, fox and rabbits who praise the Christ child with their own sense of wonder.
The sense of seeing across time is integral to Advent. Advent celebrates the three comings of Christ, past, present and future: the Christ-child born in Bethlehem; the coming of the risen Christ into our hearts today; the coming King who will return in glory.
Even on dark days, Christ comes into our hearts and covers us with his love. The child in my drawing was warm and secure; she was covered with her mother’s love like a warm blanket. A mother’s love is a reflection of God’s love.
Knit Together
God has created each of us with loving care. We are God’s “handiwork” (Ephesians 2:10), and he has “graven us on his palms”—he will never forget us (Isaiah 49:15, 16). God invites each of us to be God’s very own child. When we say “yes” to God, we are covered by his love.
King David expressed this in a song he wrote to God:
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”
(Psalm 139:13, 14, NIV)
Each of us are one of God’s wonderful creations. God gives us meaning and purpose to the end of our days on earth and into eternity, for “love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:13.)” Today when you sit by the fire or cover yourself with a blanket, may you know that God holds your past, present and future, with loving care.
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ADVENT and INCARNATION Art Show
YOU are invited to the opening of my new art show!
Please wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
Originals, prints and greeting cards will be FOR SALE.
Here are some photos of my artwork:
Where: Monroe Community Church (new building): 1020 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. This church has hosted winning ArtPrize entries!
When: Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 from 6 pm - 8:30 pm
This show runs through January 7, 2021. I am honored to exhibit along with artist Wietze Adema, who creates beautiful landscapes and urbanscapes.
The church gallery is also open on:
Sundays from 10 am - 12 pm. Worship is at 10:30 am.
Thursdays from 8 am -12 noon.
Facebook Invite with map: https://www.facebook.com/events/455785952789062
Here is a photo from the installation. There is a lot more to see! Hope to see you there!
Dear Barbara: You knit together beautifully your faith, your art and your love. I am grateful for you and all that you do.