Sunday, December 24, 2006

Infant Messiah

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs. -- Hebrews 1:1-4


(as usual, click on pictures to enlarge)





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Merry Christmas!


25 comments:

Pecheur said...

Cool.

Merry Christmas to you also. See ya in the new year.

jel said...

Very AWESome, I knew you can do it ! I say the sevice at your church was very blessed today!

peace!

and thank you for sharing this!

Anonymous said...

To watch art in church is beautiful. I feel that way every time I watch the most talented ASL translator at church - she embodies our music with such passion and beauty.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas!!! I haven't had much time to blog or read any but thought I'd stop by my favorite blogging friends to wish you all a Merry Christmas and thank you for a years worth of great posts!!

You did a great job with your painting it is fabulous!

Coco said...

It's beautiful! Thank you for sharing your "gift" with us : )

Have a wonderful Christmas Day,
and a restful week!

Blessings,
Coco

ps
painting is also a form of prayer

Anonymous said...

Thanks Will!!

Merry Christmas.

Yes, our kids have been non-stop giddy since 6 this morning. We all have been spoiling each other with presents and love. It's been a glorious day. Soon we will have a wonderful feast of venison, pasta salad, potatoes, gravy, mushroom and onions, cherry tomtoes and cheese cubes, greenbean caserole, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, bread sticks and cranberry sauce.
We are very blessed.

I'm glad the boys are having a great day. I hope you and Brenda are as well.

We have been given a vacation gift to Disney World for Christmas!! Julie and I have only dreamed of one day being able to take the kids there. We are very excited. Long drive, but worth it for the kids. We leave day after tomorrow. We may come back home next year:-)

Much love,

Justin

Anonymous said...

P.S.

The painting turned out great!

Anonymous said...

Dear Curious Servant,
a happy Christmas to you and your Job'Tale's Congregatiom.
I cannot say I liked the wonderful, smiling Baby Jesus with his aching crown of thorns.
It moved me and stirred me,.. and made me grateful. He came to suffer that we might have peace. May you shake and make me think new again many times more in the Year to come, dear Will.
May your family be blessed with a peace everlasting.
From Elise

Curious Servant said...

Elise: Thank you for stopping by and leaving such kind words.

I have appreciated all your comments this past year.

I know what you mean about the disturbing nature of that painting.

I started shaking and tearing up while I was painting it, right there in front of my church.

That beautiful smiling face, so loving... and with such horrid wounds...

That is the crux of our faith, is it not?

Some say that the book of Job is about how the innocent suffer (which is NOT what the book is about), but our faith IS about that. It is about the only truly innocent man in all of history suffering, gladly.

I wish I had more time to do that painting. I would have preferred a more subtle painting, rather than the approach I took, but there wasn't time for subtlty.

Still... I tried to make the His expression subtle, the eyes deep, penetrating, the smile fulll of joy, the wounds all the more poignant for his obvious innocence.

Perhaps I will go over the whole painting with a layer of gold and cerulean blue suspended in clear gesso... just to push the heaviness of the lines down a bit.

Merry Christmas all!

Pilgrim said...

Merry Christmas, and God's best to you, in the New Year!

Anonymous said...

I love this baby Jesus depiction. How neat to have watched it during the drawing. Blessings to you. Thank you

Looney Mom™ said...

Wow! That's talent. Awesome pic.

susanwalkergirl said...

Dear Curious Servant,

Wow...your picture...bids one to look closer. The closer you look the more you see.

When looking at the picture...I found myself wondering what you the painter was thinking? Is it a process that works itself out on canvas...or do you thinking the whole time...I want to do this or that?

Our Savior...He was born to die. I wonder in His human incarnation...how early on He was aware of that looming cross?

Blessing to you kind sir. Merry Christmas. Susan

Curious Servant said...

Looney Mom: Thanks!

Susan: Thank you for your kind comments on my blog this evening.

When I do a painting it is usually all process. This time I did have a sketch before hand, but the two other times I have painted during a service at my church it was spontaneous.

What color, what shade, how much light, how much dark... it just flow.

I try to be prayerful throughout the whole process, tune everything else out.

I think I have a link to another blog that has more of my paintings on it. I haven't looked at it in a while, I should probably update it.

At any rate... thank you for your kind words.

Anonymous said...

disturbing

Anonymous said...

Curious..
Thank you for your comment on SincerelyMyThoughts....I did listen and I think that is what came out as clear at this time. The kids said they were sorta teasing, but the one who said the most is a quiet one and when she speaks, it has been there and pondered on for awhile...I think listening to one like that is fairly important. I know you'd agree. So, for now, it is the right thing. Please come around here and there as I will post some special thoughts or quotes or stories here and there as I feel called to do.
Your art came from the heart and spirit here...there is no doubt about that and I am moved ...we must be reminded of it all lest we forget that the little cute round baby came to give it all for us.
May He continue to reign in our hearts forever. Amen

Jada's Gigi said...

Beautiful work as usual....many blessing to your family in the coming year!
He reigns!!

Terry said...

Merry Christmas yourself Curious Servant...Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I will read yours. It sounds really interesting and I love the book of Job
Must be some blog...I see that little Jel is here too. I can't keep up with her. I wonder how she does it!! I know she is a little sun beam. Do you think she is a little breeze too?....from Terry...Teresa

This picture is so true. That baby knew ahead of time that he would be wearing that mocking crown of thorns for us!

Anonymous said...

Beautifully and worshipfully done. The picture says so much to me.

Anonymous said...

Provocative. Thanks for the invitation to see it... it's a blessing to see. And thanks for the feedback.

Jeff H said...

Merry Christmas (albeit a couple days late)!!!

And when I first glanced at the title of this post, I thought it said "Instant Messiah". Just add water and presto!!! Salvation!!! (guess that could be a Baptist joke)

Anonymous said...

Just stopping by to say thank you for visiting me on my front porch the other day!!

Anonymous said...

You have such an amazing gift. The painting is beautiful and a true portrayal of your love for Him.

I hope your family had a very Merry Christmas and that your New Year will be full of His blessings, love and peace.

Jennifer said...

Hello! Thank you for your note at my blog. This is a very thought-provoking portrait you have done. It is not what one expects to see at Christmas, and really makes you stop and think. You are very talented.

Anonymous said...

I've enjoyed your last few posts. Happy New Year