The Artistry of Advent and Christmas

F. Richard Garland

Part of my love affair with this season is the artistry of it all. There is something about the Advent time of preparation that breaks through the routines and awakens the creative spirit. Then, with Christmas Day and the season that follows, there is a breaking forth of a great Light that shines on and in what God was doing in the Birth of Jesus. You see it in the music, in the poetry, in the decorations, in crafts and works of art, and in so many other places, and that is wonderfully astounding.

There are some who feel that art belongs to the professional. I would prefer to say that the professional is the one who has been responsive to the calling of the Spirit to be creative. The willingness to give expression to that calling is, in fact, a profession of faith. One cannot create except as she/he is engaged in the process and has, in a sense, become at one with what is being created.

The artistry of Advent and Christmas puts us in touch with the essence of life at its fullest. It is a response to life and truth which gives expression to the beckoning of the Spirit. It is a means by which we can know things which we are not yet able to understand. It draws people together to reflect upon shared experience. Art, in whatever form or level of skill it may take, is a transforming experience. In this season the artist and those who appreciate the art come face to face with God Who chooses to become Immanuel, God with us.

In her book "Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art," Madeleine L'Engle says, "When the artist is truly the servant of the work, the work is better than the artist." That is especially true at Advent and Christmas. In the best art of season you can almost feel the weariness of the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem - you can almost smell the stable - you can almost see the Star - you can almost hear the angels sing - you can almost see God at play - and sometimes you do!

Go to an internet search engine like Google. Type in the word ‘nativity’ and then click on ‘images.’ Immediately you will see inspiring artwork from many artists in many genre. You could spend hours in meditation. Or just look at a picture your child or grandchild created in Sunday School. Or take some time, put on some good music [I like “The John Rutter Christmas Album” by the Cambridge Singers], then open your Bible and read Isaiah 9:1-7, Luke 1:39-80, 2:1-38, Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-15 and John 1:1-18. These are the stories that have nurtured two millennia of artists.

In the birth of Jesus, and in the centuries of devotion that have flowed from it, we see the artistry of Advent and Christmas. That is because, at each Christmas, God becomes Emmanuel. Those who catch that vision become artists, and we are blessed beyond all measure with the gifts they create, whether they come from the skilled and trained or from a child.

If, sometime during this season, you experience an inner vision which you are not yet able to understand, pay attention to it. It does still happen, often in most unexpected places, pay attention to it. You may have been touched by angel's wings, and invited to participate in the artistry of Advent and Christmas with a new and awakened creative spirit. That’s what Joseph and Mary did. That’s what the Magi did. That’s what the shepherds did. That’s what Herod was afraid to do. God can do amazing things with those who pay attention, and say, “Yes.” I can assure you that, if you are obedient to this vision, you will see Emmanuel! And it will be your best Christmas yet!

The Rev. F. Richard Garland is a retired clergy member of the New England Annual Conference.