Lippi, Fra Filippo, Nativity,1467-69 Acts 2:24-32 “24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; […]
Lotto, Lorenzo, Nativity, 1523 Matthew 27:59-60 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. John 20:11-16 "15 […]
Honthorst, Gerrit van, Adoration of the Child, c. 1620 Luke 22:41-44 “41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel […]
Greco, El, The Adoration of the Shepherds, c. 1610 Luke 2:46-51 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they […]
Giotto, di Bondone, Nativity, 1310s Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these […]
Ghirlandaio, Domenico, Adoration of the Shepherds,1483-85 Philippians 2:1-7 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing […]
Saraceni, Carlo, The Birth of Christ, c.1610 Hebrews 7:24-28 “24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that […]
Multscher, Hans,The Birth of Christ,1437 Hebrews 7:26 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 1 Peter 2:21-23 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that […]
FLINCK, Govert Teunisz, Angels Announcing the Birth of Christ to the Shepherds, 1639 1 Peter 3:18 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 18 All this […]
GENTILE DA FABRIANO, Nativity, 1423 Luke 4:17-21 “17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has […]
Advent Joy isn’t shallow or sentimental—it is rooted in the appearing of Christ. When Scripture speaks of Christ being manifested, it means that God has made Himself clearly seen, known, and encountered in order to save. “The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation…” — Titus 2:11, ESV The Child in the manger is the […]
Where do you long for Christ’s Peace to enter your story this week? Or have you given up hope for that? Perhaps it would be good for you and me to remember Jesus' words about the kind of peace He gives. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the […]