By Mary Jane Miller
The image of Mary as Mother is central to sacred art around the world. Christmas is a time for reflection. The Christian church began in the womb of Mary, a much-needed image of love. She houses the full revelation and miraculous mysteries brought forth in the baby Jesus, who is the Christ.
When I mention Christ, envision a voice that transcends words, embodying the energy or vibration of love. It reflects the Christmas story of birth, providing a new purpose for a broken world. The concept of love is not exclusive to Christianity; it has always been a guiding principle for humanity around the globe. Each of us receives love, we nurture the love we create, and we have the power to release that love to the world.Mary is portrayed in many manifestations, without a doubt because the birth of her son is a mystery. After painting icons of Mary for three decades I understand my love does affect the world, and I desire to share Mary's new light for a new millennium. This image is called “Of Three Hands”. The image came from the story in the 4th century when St. John Damascus had his right hand cut off as a punishment for his slanderous teachings that were not in accord with public opinion. His prayer of anguish from the injury resulted in his hand being miraculously re-attached through a vision of Mary. A fine red line on the wrist of the third hand is evidence to attest to the miracle. Don't you think we all need a third hand these days? Christmas cannot be celebrated without each other; a look, a glance, or a kind word may be a good place to start. Small acts of kindness are stimulated by a defined urge to love, the action of the third hand.
How many times this year have I turned away from a helping hand, or turned my orientation towards what I want rather than the other need? The Christmas spirit is a time to reflect, slow down, and notice how often we skip the idea of service or generosity. The story of Mary is a great example of life being interrupted. She had to pause and look inward with awe and wonder. She waited quietly on the Spirit of God within and might have found participating with others to be a challenge.
For the past few Christmas seasons the idea of sacred stillness found in “Oh Holy Night” has lost its mystery for me. I wonder why? One reason is my lack of longing — Mary must have had an innate knowledge that what was created in her was created by God and for God. I ask, who can celebrate such a concept with me?
Everywhere you look in San Miguel there is Mary, year-round she is on the bus, in a taxi, by the checkout counter in small tiendas, and of course in church. Mary, the Virgin of Guadalupe is plastered on houses everywhere standing guard without our noticing. Mexican culture reveres her as the guardian. Sometimes I see her as if she is looking back at me, I smile thinking she witnesses all of us walking by and knows our hearts and minds. Silly imagination perhaps but what if Mary and her Christ creation do see us?
Christmas is a time for reflection. Spiritual teachings and quantum physics are in agreement, we are what we love, we do affect what we focus on, and we are all connected as one vibration. Maybe that is not exactly Orthodox thinking but that is the way I see it. Iconography has taught me a lot about the Christ story, I can only testify that there is a lot more to glean than just the unborn baby for us to comprehend. Live this Christmas season differently, stay awake, and look to the brilliance of the stars.Peace on Earth and goodwill to humankind.
Mary Jane Miller is a Byzantine-style iconographer with over three decades of experience. Her interpretations of sacred art are contemporary, unique, and unorthodox at times. The work has been exhibited in Museums and churches in both the United States and Mexico. As an author, Miller writes luxuriously, blending historical content and personal insights to arrive at contemporary conclusions about faith. The past decade she has devoted her work to the voices of women and care for the Earth.
Her collections and lectures are provocative, especially when she offers her 5-day immersion workshops using egg tempera.
NEXT Icon Painting WORKSHOP JANUARY 22 2025.
Modern Catholic Iconography https://www.millericons.com/
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