December 2018

Looking at a Masterpiece, Madeleine Stebbins, Adoration of the Shepherds

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Domenico Ghirlandaio, one of the great Renaissance artists, painted this masterpiece for the Sassetti Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Trinità in Florence. Later the young Michelangelo became his apprentice. Ghirlandaio’s painting was probably inspired by the Flemish artist Hugo van der Goes’ Portinari Altarpiece in its attention to detail and its realist handling of the three shepherds on the right, the one with brown hair being the artist’s self-portrait.

The Adoration of the Shepherds Read More »

Son of David, Edward Sri, the genealogy of Jesus, Mystery of the Kingdom

Son of David: What the Genealogy of Jesus Tells Us

For most readers of the Bible, reading a genealogy is about as exciting as reading a telephone book. Yet this is exactly how the entire New Testament begins in chapter one of Saint Matthew’s Gospel:

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah . . . (Matt 1:1–3).

Son of David: What the Genealogy of Jesus Tells Us Read More »

Three Things to Ask Ourselves As We Prepare for Christmas

Do you remember Christmas when you were a child? I recall the excitement that the approach of the holiday created in me. During the month of December, Christmas was never far from my thoughts. What gifts would I receive? With little resources, what present could I give to my mom and dad? Of course, the closer to December 25, the more my excitement intensified.

Three Things to Ask Ourselves As We Prepare for Christmas Read More »