God in Person

Joseph has the weight of a decision on his shoulders. On one hand, he could choose the path of justified removal of Mary from his life, represented by the blue. But there is something in the gold and red that is pulling him towards a life he can’t even imagine. In other paintings, Mary, the shepherds, a new Way of life is represented by the red and gold.

As Elizabeth waits, Mary is moving towards her for an embrace. Between them is the  presence of John and Jesus and the acknowledgment that their pregnancies carry great meaning and in the center we see the holy spirit pulling them close.

This image was the hardest to imagine because doing justice to the size and power of the angels felt daunting.  Over time the angels’ presence became similar to sound waves, representing their worship of God. You can also see the shepherds in awe and the sky represents joy.

Round edges are present throughout the shepherd‘s life, including the terrain, the shape of his flock, even the shape of their hook. But the entering of the spirit and the shepherd’s awareness of the savior being born begins the completing of the circle. Even the shepherd’s hook is pulling his sheep together, showing great care. Jesus’ birth completes the circle for all of humanity.