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Writer's pictureLeah Landry

A Quiet ADVENTure Week 4: A Deeper Reflection of Art

As you begin your time in prayer, settle in.  Get in a comfortable yet attentive position.  Acknowledge that you are in the presence of the Lord.

 

Offer this time to Him.  Offer yourself to Him.  Offer your imagination to Him.

 

Ask God to grant you what you need for today.  Ask Him to show you clearly and to help you receive it openly.

 

Read and pray with Luke 2.

 

In this final week of A Quiet ADVENTure with Mother Mary, we invite you to pause and reflect more deeply on the art contained within its pages.  Each image foreshadows the moment when light entered the world – the birth of Jesus.  Just as Mary’s brave “yes” opened the way for this light, the past three sessions have led us to this quiet, expectant space.  In these final days of pondering and drawing our focus to the sacred, may this reflection illuminate your journey and prepare your heart for the radiant hope of His coming this Christmas!


This blog post will be a little different as the reflections are already insightful and the reflection questions can only truly be answered within your own heart. There is not much more insight that I can add, and worry that it will only muddy the waters for you. I have included the reflection in totality in hopes that you will allow yourself to let your mind wander with the Lord, allowing Him to guide you to a personal and deeper relationship with Him.


I pray that you have been able to make room for our Lord and have "prepared your nest" to receive Him fully and completely this Christmas. May He fill your heart with joy – deep, profound joy – and a love for Him that keeps you close by His side... always.



 The Annunciation and the Six Water Jugs: A Foreshadowing of Christ's First Miracle


In the Annunciation artwork, Mary is depicted with six water jugs. This detail powerfully connects the Annunciation to Jesus's first miracle at the Wedding of Cana, where He turned six stone jars of water into wine (John 2: 6-9). This miracle marked the start of his public ministry and revealed His divine authority.


Mary's depiction with the water jugs subtly foreshadows this event. At Cana, she plays a crucial role by bringing the need to JEsus and trusting in His power, reflecting her earlier faith-filled response to teh angel Gabriel: "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to be be fulfilled." (Luke 1:38)


The six water jugs in the Annunciation scene thus remind us of Mary's quiet strength and faith. Her acceptance of God's plan was not just a moment of consent but a profound testament to her role in salvation history. As we contemplate this imagery, let us honor Mary's integral part in God's plan and Jesus's divine mission.


Reflect:


How does Mary's depiction with the six water jugs in the Annunciation reflect her quiet strength, both in accepting God's plan and at the Wedding of Cana?


Where is God inviting me to trust Him with the same faith, believing He can transform the ordinary into the miraculous?


Bethlehem: The City of Bread


As we reflect on the Nativity, we find profound symbolism in the details of Bethlehem, the city where Jesus was born. Bethlehem, meaning "House of Bread," holds a deeper significance when we consider its role in the ancient traditions of shepherds.


In Bethlehem, shepherds would carefully examine their sheep to find the one that was without blemish – a lamb deemed perfect for scarifice. Once chosen, these lambs were lovingly wrapped in swaddling cloths to protect them, symbolizing their purity and worthiness.


In a beautiful twist of divine intention, our Savior was born in this very city and was wrapped in swaddling clothes, signifying His role as the perfect Lamb of God. Just as the shepherds prepared their sacrificial lambs with care, so too was Jesus, the Bread of Life, wrapped in these humble cloths, destined to be the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. This is why you see the post with the swaddling cloths in the scene of the manger.


As we contemplate this sacred scene, let us recognize the hidden meanings that enrich the story of Christ's birth. May this understanding deepen our appreciation of the Nativity and the profound love that brought Jesus into the world.


The place of the Nativity was prophesied centuries before Jesus's birth. We can see this prophecy in the book of Micah 5: 2...


"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village on Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past."


Reflect:


How does the significance of Bethlehem as the "House of Bread" and the swaddling cloths deepen my understanding of Christ's birth?


The Stone Manger: Symbolism and Significance


The stone manger in the Nativity scene is rich with symbolism. It's humble nature reflects the lowly circumstances of Jesus's birth, contrasting with teh expected grandeur for a king. Traditionally, this stone manger would have been used to lay sheep before slaughter, underscoring the symbolism of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb. The stone represents stability and strength, signifying Christ as a steadfast foundation for faith. Additionally, the manger prefigures teh Eucharist, sumbolizing Jesus as teh Bread of Life, providing spiritual nourishment to humanity. This humble yet enduring symbol highlights the profound nature of Christ's incarnation and the fulfillment of divine promises.


Reflect:


How does the simplicity and strength of hte stone manger invite me to embrace both the humility and power of Jesus as teh foundation of my faith?


As I reflect on this sacred imagery, where do I feel an invitation to see Jesus as both teh bread of Life and the Lamb of God in my own life?


Source: The Story Behind The Real Nativity - StoneGable (stonegableblog.com)


May you be filled with His Love and His Light!

Leah

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