Exploring Advent Through Art
Photo by Loïc Manegarium from Pexels
Despite all the Harry Potter, LEGO, and DIY Christmas book and candy Advent calendars for purchase and on Pinterest, may I suggest that while those are fun, anticipatory, and delightful, they don’t touch upon the true hope or soul comfort that celebrating the liturgical season of Advent can bring. Don’t get me wrong — during the late sunrise mornings and early evenings of winter, I am just as happy as the next person to enjoy a piece of sweetness on the tongue and cuddle up with my kiddos over a beloved Christmas picture book.
However, I have found that spending part of each day in contemplation, with an Advent devotional that includes a piece of visual art as an aid, is where Advent most comforts and touches my soul.
While coming at the end of our calendar year, Advent is actually the beginning of the church's liturgical calendar. Beginning on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent is a time of remembrance and anticipation, to both celebrate the incarnation and anticipate Jesus’s return.
It is an invitation to contemplate upon the difficulties of life, the struggles of the human condition, and our own frailties, temptations, and failures. Contrasting that, however, are the uplifting gifts of hope and gratefulness for Christ’s coming to be Emmanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
These contrasting themes, the darkness of a world without a Savior and the light of His coming to bring redemption and salvation, have been common over the last two millennia in visual art to share both the despair and the joy we all can feel as we look around and within us, and then look to Jesus.
There is actually a term for this art technique: chiaroscuro. I discovered this word recently while reading “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo to my kids. The first thing that popped into my head when learning of this art technique was how Advent art I had previously found so compelling used this very interplay of light and dark to convey the tension of the season.
Below are three different Advent studies that include pieces of visual art as part of the daily reflection offered by the author. They often include Bible verses to accompany the reflection and can be used by oneself, or as a family. While none of them are too long, may I suggest sitting with the piece of art offered for a few minutes? Let it speak God's grace and peace over you.
The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day From Advent To Epiphany by Dr. Jane Williams
This is a small book with each piece of art printed in it accompanying the daily devotional.
Featured art:
The Ancient of Days (William Blake)
Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent by Tsh Oxenreider
This book includes access to an accompanying website, where links to each piece of art and a Spotify playlist can be found, as a song to listen to is also included in each day’s devotion.
Featured art:
Adoration of the Shepherds (Gerard van Honthorst)
Advent: Celebrating Christ From The Cradle To The Cross by Melba Pearson Voskamp
You may recognize this author’s last name, as she is the daughter-in-law of Ann Voskamp, well-known blogger, author, and speaker. She and her husband, Caleb Voskamp, started The Keeping Company, where you can purchase this book along with many beautiful hand-crafted pieces to accompany holidays and devotional times, or to give as gifts. This book includes Bible verses for each day, a short devotional and commentary on the piece of art, and printed art images.
You can purchase both the Advent book and the similarly formatted Lenten Book as a bundle to have in-hand, glossy printed copies, or they offer a free pdf version you can download on their website.
Featured art:
The Israelites Passing through the Wilderness, Preceded by the Pillar of Light (William West)
In short…
No matter your preference in format, consider adding visual art to your Advent season this year. May the solemnity and the hope found there bring you comfort, revelation, and expectancy for celebrating Jesus’s birth on Christmas Day and look forward to His promised return.
