Today's Daily Bread
Light And Shadow
Art historian Seymour Slive described the great Dutch artist
Rembrandt (1606–1669) as the master of light and shadow, a compelling
storyteller on canvas. Rembrandt’s painting The Adoration of the Shepherds portrays
the darkened stable in Bethlehem where two shepherds kneel beside the
manger while other people stand farther away. One man holds a lantern,
but the brightest light shines not from his lantern but from the
Christ-child, illuminating those who have gathered close to Him.
Seven centuries before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah used an image of light
and shadow to foretell the coming of a Savior for Israel: “The people
who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the
land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. . . . For
unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isa. 9:2,6).
Each person may see a different story in Rembrandt’s painting, but
perhaps each of us is represented somewhere in that stable. Are we
kneeling in worship, standing back in hesitation, or hiding from the
light that has penetrated our darkness?
Christmas invites us to step out of the shadows of darkness and to allow the light of Christ to shine into our hearts.
Observing God’s love from afar
Is only a passing delight;
But when we experience Christ’s presence,
Our darkness is turned into light. —Hess
Is only a passing delight;
But when we experience Christ’s presence,
Our darkness is turned into light. —Hess
Faith in Christ is not a leap into the dark; it’s a step into the Light.
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