Advent Week 2

[vc_single_image image=”16985″ img_size=”600×800″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][special_heading title=”Draw Near to Wonder” subtitle=”Child in Safety by Hannah Garrity” separator=”yes”]

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Jeremiah 33:14-16
14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness”.

From the Artist

Why do we feel unsafe? The fear of being unsafe is such a huge emotion. It causes us to fight, fly, and freeze. Needing safety is an instinct. It is natural in each of us. It seems that our initial human attempt to create safety is to build gates, walls, and fences. These things give us a sense of security. However, biblical stories suggest that breaking down barriers, bringing down walls, and humanizing the other are actually the way to develop safety among humans

Safety is a mindset. If I expect to feel safe in the company of others, I am likely to build relationships. If I expect to feel unsafe, my fear may turn into judgment. If I dehumanize another, I increase the likelihood that a gulf will remain between us.

When I imagine safety visually, I think of the Madonna and Child pose. As children we receive comfort from the act of embrace. This comfort comes from a beloved adult. In this image, however, the simple movement surrounding the child symbolizes both the embrace of his mother and the embrace of community.

Painted in acrylic over pen on paper, the face of baby Jesus is wrapped in love and safety, concurrently emanating love and safety. In the love of God, we find the strength to overcome our fear of being unsafe. Through faith, we garner the strength to create spaces of safety through love.

Draw Near to God in Prayer

Breathe deeply as you gaze upon the image above. Imagine placing yourself in this scene. What do you see? How do you feel? Get quiet and still, offering a silent or spoken prayer to God.

 

Hannah Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org