December 21: Divine Disruptions
♫ Music:
And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed—and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2: 33-35
Divine Disruptions
Have you ever experienced a God-induced paradoxical situation ... one in which the events and emotions of the moment seem so contradictory and yet, you know that the Lord is orchestrating those very circumstances?
Consider Mary.
For one brief moment she had the possibility of normalcy as she was taking young Jesus to the temple to be dedicated. I wonder if she envisioned people looking lovingly at her child and commenting on his cute dimples as she entrusted their future to her Creator God. Was she surprised by or prepared for the prophetic words of Simeon? Did it shake her being to the core or place her in a posture of worshipful amazement?
So much of Mary’s journey to this point was wrought with divine disruption. Nothing went as planned—from the miraculous conception which interrupted her betrothal, to the birth in a cattle stall. And yet the Lord was with her composing every moment as she was chosen to be the mother of Immanuel. She has been given glimpses of God’s plan from the beginning and has pondered it all in her heart. Perhaps as she contemplated Simeon’s words she once again surrendered her entire being, fears and future to the One who had faithfully sustained her. She knew the Creator of her soul. She knew His purpose was much greater than her own and thus could lift her precious child and her future, however tumultuous it might be, into His very capable hands.
Consider the artwork The Passion of Mary by Katherine Bayly (collage on paper, 8” x 12”). In this simple collage, Pieta by Michaelangeo and Virgin and Child by Laurent de la Hyre are alternately spliced, visually depicting the agony Mary must have faced through her choice to say “yes” to divine disruption. Through the careful cropping of the image, Bayly causes us to focus on Mary’s face in both works simultaneously, allowing us to envision what she would face as well as the emotions that she must have felt.
As we journey through the Advent season, can you relate to this paradox? Are you struggling with pain, disappointment and loss this Christmas that threaten to overshadow the joy of the holiday? Have the unanswered prayers or confusing circumstances taken away your awe and awareness of the work of God? It is our prayer that you would once again embrace the gift of the Christ Child with worshipful amazement and stand firm in God’s love for you, trusting in His infinite wisdom.
Rachelle Chuang, Associate Professor of Art and Suzanne Welty, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders
GREAT COMFORTER touch all those who are upset and faint of heart in the midst of the sorrows and difficulties of this world. Grant that by the quickening power of your Holy Spirit, they may be lifted up to you with hope and courage, enabled to go on their way rejoicing in your great love and infinite wisdom. Amen
The Passion of Mary
Katherine Bayly
Digital Print
About the Artist and the Art
Katherine Kenny Bayly studied art at the Maryland Institute College of Art and the Corcoran School of Art. Her work has been shown by Christians In The Visual Arts in the traveling show, Abstraction: The Power of Memory, and in the 25th anniversary show, Embracing the Gift. Her work has been exhibited in Maryland and Washington, D.C. galleries since 1988. She has received two fellowships from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. The mother of three daughters, she lives with her husband in Washington, D.C. The Passion of Mary is a unique comingling of two famous works of art that beautifully reflect the prophecy that Simeon uttered to Mary, “and a sword will pierce even your own soul.” Michelangelo’s Pieta reflects the coming death of Christ while Virgin and Child by Laurent de la Hyre expresses a mother’s fascination with her newborn son. Through the careful cropping of images, Bayly offers us an opportunity to focus on Mary’s face in both works simultaneously.
About the Composer
Mark Lowry, lyricist for Mary, Did You Know? is known for his many years as singer with the Bill Gaither Vocal Band. In 1984, he was asked to write a song for Advent. He came up with questions he might ask Mary about her understanding of who Jesus was. Six years later, musician Buddy Greene wrote the music. Today Mary, Did You Know? Is one of the most popular Christmas songs, having been recorded on over 30 Christmas albums.
About the Musicians
The King’s Men are a six member, vocal a cappella ensemble from the Conservatory of Music at Biola University. Their director, Walt Harrah, arranges the music they sing. They represent the university in concerts throughout Southern California and beyond.
Website: http://academics1.biola.edu/music/ensembles/kings-men/
Mary Did You Know? Lyrics
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know, that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to the blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss the little baby
You kissed the face of God.
Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb.
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Was lord of all Creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?
The sleeping child you’re holding
Is the great I AM.