Friday of the Third Week of Advent
The story of the annunciation, which we read in today’s gospel from Luke (1:26-38), is one that I’m guessing most of us have heard many times over in our lives, especially around Christmas time. There are countless works of art depicting this scripture passage as well. It is obviously an important part of our Christian faith and tradition. It has become so familiar that I think, at least for me, there is the temptation to not allow myself to fully enter into the story. I find it easy to recognize it and think, “Oh I know how that goes,” and then move on to the next thing without really reflecting and becoming immersed in this sacred story. Sometimes a work of art provides the fresh perspective that allows me to see or hear the familiar in a new light.
Today I was reminded of Henry Ossawa Tanner’s 1898 painting, The Annunciation, that provided a fresh perspective on this familiar New Testament image. (You can view this painting from the Philadelphia Museum of Art at this link.) An African-American artist whose mother had escaped slavery as a child and who experienced prejudice himself, Tanner painted this strikingly different, realistic depiction of a young Mary dressed in peasant robes after his first visit to Egypt and Palestine (now Israel). Tanner’s work brings to life for me the humble and ordinary circumstances into which God’s messenger appeared, interrupting Mary’s youth with astonishing, and perhaps frightening new light.
Although afraid, Mary trusts, and says yes, “May it be done to me according to your word.” As I reflect, I wonder what ordinary circumstances God is calling me to see in a new light. Is fear preventing me from joining Mary in saying “yes”? Is doubt keeping me from believing that “nothing will be impossible for God”? In these last few days of Advent, where is my hope? Today mine is renewed unexpectedly through the vision and work of a late 19th century artist.
As we prepare to celebrate once again our Savior’s birth, let us be open to what God is calling us to see in a new light.
—Eileen Miller