We always love David Nelson’s seasonal creations on the Sanctuary wall, but it is even better when he tells us what the art means to him. Here is his description of the 2014 Advent/Christmas art.
If blue were a word, it would be a minor key perhaps like the Yiddish folk tune of Light One Candle, expressing the deep longing for hope and peace.
The blue of Advent is that deep blue that fills the sky just minutes after the sun is set. Look west-the faint whiteness of the departing sun may still linger as a line marking the horizon. But look up-the heavens will be a deep blue parchment flecked with stars, an Advent banner of blue stretched from east to west.
So our Advent readings point to the one who is coming with justice as wide as the sky, peace as high as the heavens, and grace as broad and deep as the oceans.
When we in the Northwest look up at the sky inevitably it is above and through a beautiful screen of Douglas fir, spruce, and cedar. It reminds me of something I read years ago but never quite forgot. My best guess is that is is from Meister Eckhart, a medieval priest and poet. “What does it matter that Jesus was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago if he isn’t also born among us today?”
So, during Advent we build our little Northwest forest against an Advent sky waiting for the manger to hold the holy baby born among us too!
