googling advent
The beauty of Google is the almost instant access to both words and images. By clicking on the images tab of the Google search, words are now described not only by more words but also in pictures. Like most things, this is bane and blessing.
The blessing and bane are apparent each week in our Sunday bulletins. I google words that I’m working on in my sermon and turn to the pictures for deeper meanings. Some of the pictures are obvious in their connection, some obscure, some are disturbing, and others (perhaps too often?) seemingly random.
Two particular images captivated my own imagination during this Advent season. One is a painting by James Junknegt entitled “Nativity”. It’s a vibrant image with Mary and the baby in the center and although modern in context readily identifiable as a nativity theme. I wanted to use this picture for a Christmas postcard (which is now in the mail!) and the artist graciously agreed. More of his work is available (and for sale!) at his site: http://www.bcartfarm.com .
“Nativity” is also the backdrop on the front of the bulletin that has been decreasingly obscured by the other picture that caught me eye, a wall sconce. This wall fixture appears on the second page of Google images related to Advent, it is actually a fixture in the Advent line of lighting manufactured by a Wisconsin company. But the single light which defines the shadows as it illumines captured for me the essence of the Advent season. Light shines in the darkness, light which the darkness can neither comprehend nor overcome.
May the pictures that we create and share enable us to more fully embrace the presence of the one whose coming we celebrate again.
