What Do Madonna and Child Look Like?

Can you find them Sunday morning at the grocery store?

Photo of art by Giovanni Bellini, image credit Wikipedia.com

I saw the Madonna and child today. There was a young mother, dressed in peasant clothes holding her baby close to keep it warm. The baby was dressed in swaddling clothes. The modern manger sat behind her as she held the baby and caressed his little head, looking upon him adoringly.

Madonna was a stranger from another land called to flee her home because of circumstances beyond her control. She traveled for many days, weeks even, and escaped the violent men who meant to harm her and the baby.

She left with just the bare essentials and prayed she and her baby would be safe when they entered the city of promise. She trusted in the Lord to get them through the darkness, to keep them warm, safe, and fed.

Because her baby was special.

He certainly saved me today.

T’is the season

Each year, Christmas seems to get harder and harder. Not because there are thousands of things to do, but because I have let go of the “holiday hoopla” years ago. I just don’t buy into it anymore.

At the store, people were rushing around getting gifts, food for their table, and crabs for their guests. Liquor to get them through family encounters.