Giotto

And the Word Became Flesh

Giotto, The Nativity

 

“Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

The master pre-Renaissance painter, Giotto (1267-1337), produced a remarkable series of paintings in Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel. One of the most memorable is this image of the Nativity of our Lord. Giotto’s paintings are noted for his sensitive portrayal of distinguishable human figures, moving away from the Byzantine style of icon-like painting characteristic of the era in which he began his work.

Some verses from Phillips Brooks’ beloved hymn (O Little Town of Bethlehem) provide a fitting prayer for this day:

How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven…

O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, Be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell:

O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel!

May our Lord, who was and is, and is to come, bless us and our loved ones during this holy time.

Personal and Family Devotions for Easter 7, Sunday May 24

 

Giotto, The Last Supper (Detail)

 

For this Seventh Sunday (during the Great 50 Days) of Easter, I am happy once again to share with you a format for personal and family devotions.

I invite you to read these readings, and pray these prayers tomorrow. The format is especially suitable for sharing with others. I am sure that many of you are already staying in touch with family, friends and loved ones, with the help of an app like Zoom for web-based internet group meetings. Feel free to share the link to the devotions with others

The painting above and in the Devotions document is a portion of a fresco painting by Giotto.

You can access the Personal and Family Devotions document that I have prepared for tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, 2020, by clicking here.