Dear Everyone,
I wish everyone who is celebrating a Blessed Advent. Today, I am embarking on the first day of the Advent Readalong, with the first reading from Jane Williams’ book, “The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day from Advent to Epiphany.” I hope you will join me.
Today’s painting is “The Ancient of Days,” which was painted by William Blake in 1793. It’s an unusual painting and Jane Williams provides an excellent commentary on its surprising features. You can see the painting and discover more about it here.
In her commentary, Williams reminds us of the juxtaposition of light and darkness and the many emotions we encounter as we look forward to Christmas. There’s much to reflect on in this paper, and Williams assists us by providing reflection questions, along with a prayer. I was struck by her emphasis on the intelligibility of the universe – an intelligibility “built in” by God, so to speak. And that intelligibility can be seen in nature, in mathematics, in science, architecture, music, literature, etc. God wishes to be known and that profound truth is one worth considering.
As we begin our collective journey through advent, I invite you to read along with me. We’ll read one reading per day, following the book, until the final reading on Epiphany. I’ll post reflections from time to time, and I invite you to comment on these posts at any time with your own reflections. Leslie and Pam have graciously invited us to join their podcast chatroom for an Advent chat. I’ll post details of that date and time soon.
It isn’t too late to join the readalong. The book is available as a paperback and as an ebook. You can join at any time.
Thank you for reading. I am grateful for your companionship on this journey.
SR
I am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {
I couldn’t take my eyes off of the first advent painting for me it invoked so many emotions at one time from longing despair to hope, love & peace breaking through with the light. I also reread day one twice, it reminded me of a poem wrote years ago how darkness never really goes away because it’s always ready to step in pretending to be a friend when we struggle with change. Change is part of life the good & the bad, it’s how we embrace it into are day to day life that’s in the light, darkness or a combination of both.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of the first advent painting for me it invoked so many emotions at one time from longing despair to hope, love & peace breaking through with the light. I also reread day one twice, it reminded me of a poem wrote years ago how darkness never really goes away because it’s always ready to step in pretending to be a friend when we struggle with change. Change is part of life the good & the bad, it’s how we embrace it into are day to day life that lets in the light, darkness or a combination of both.
Thanks so much, KK.
I really appreciate your reflections. Thank you for reading along with me.
Every morning, I open the book and the painting chosen surprises me – in a good way.
Looking forward to what’s ahead,
SR
“It’s a pleasure to greet you and comment on the readings. What I interpreted during the reading and observation of the paintings—so laden with meaning and all framed within that Advent process leading up to the Nativity—is very interesting. Every picture reflects something about the birth of Christ, who then dies for our sins. Jane introduces her readers to an analysis, in a rather creative and reasonable way, of images such as God in creation and God emerging from the darkness, casting rays. In others, there appears what is spoken of as heaven, hell, or purgatory, as well as the image of Christ, mentioning the colors, the frames, the entrances, and the meaning of what is seen in the background. It is interesting.
Thank you for this initiative.”
Thsanks very much, Karen. I’m glad you’re enjoying the book and the artwork, SR