Shepherd of the Lakes - Advent Chancel Hangings and Stole
180"x 32" acrylic on canvas
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Brighton, Michigan
Advent is a time of watchfulness and preparation for the coming of the Son of Man and Savior of the world. Matthew 24:44 declares we, "must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Romans 13:12, 14 instructs us to "put on the armor of light; put on the Lord Jesus Christ." The 'Advent blue' shapes and details on the hangings are a general reminder of this time of preparing our hearts and minds, because "the true light that enlightens every man" is, "coming into the world." (John 1:19) Yellow, the 'background color' for the hangings, is the color of 'light,' and anticipates Christ's light, our Salvation.
Thank you to Alice H. Masek, artist from Castro Valley, California, for permitting her papercutting designs to be reconfigured into a vertical format (Isaiah hanging), and re-designed, with some new additions (Gabriel hanging), onto painted canvas, by Karen Godecke.
Isaiah, the central figure, is about to have a seraphim touch a burning coal (taken from the altar of the Lord) to his lips; signifying his sins are forgiven, and his lips are cleansed, ready to be sent to proclaim God's Word. (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Isaiah declares, "Behold a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14). In Chapter 9:2,6, he continues, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Next to Isaiah is a stump, with an outgrowth: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots," another messianic reference (Isaiah 11:1) Below the stump are various animals that Isaiah refers to in verses six and seven of the eleventh chapter; the wolf, the lamb, the leopard, the kid, the calf, the lion, the cow, and bear shall coexist in peace. "They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain." (Isaiah 11:9) The mountain symbols and the animals are a reminder of the worship and reverence that results from awareness of the full knowledge and presence of the Lord.
An eagle flies over Isaiah's head as a reminder that, "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:28,31)
"Arise, shine for your light has come," (Isaiah 60:1) - prepare for the advent of your King!
180"x 32” acrylic on canvas
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Brighton, Michigan
Gabriel is an angel of 'light,' a messanger sent from God to speak to Zechariah in the temple, about his son John, who was to prepare the way for the Lord (Savior) - "to bear witness to the light" (John 1:8). Zechariah is the first silhouette on the lower right side of the hanging; he envisions John, preaching repentance and baptism to those near the Jordan River.
Gabriel also announced to Mary that she would bear a son, and call him Jesus, the "holy Son of God" (Luke 1:31,35). Mary is the second silhouette, and the birth of Christ is referenced in her field of vision.
The pose of Gabriel evokes a watchful, warning attitude for us; 'Prepare, accept the coming of your salvation, Jesus Christ.'
Advent Stole
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Brighton, Michigan
The advent stole has 4 gradated yellow stars on a blue background, referencing the four sundays of Advent, the path of anticipation and preparation for the coming of the 'true light' (John 1:4,9). The symbol for Christ, the brightest, truest light, is the bright yellow star-blue cross.