ARTIST NOTES

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Week 22        7/24/2016

Title of drawing:  "The Vulnerable God" (Luke 2)

Artist thoughts:

Today's drawing focuses on the vulnerability of a newborn. Any further effort of my own to visually portray the infinite wrapped up in the finite doesn't suffice. To elaborate, I'd like to quote artist Makoto Fujimura's Christmas Eve address at the closing reception of a benefit exhibit in Japan.

"A Japanese pastor wrote that the most important message of Christmas is that Jesus was born as a babe, weak and vulnerable to the world. A baby is utterly dependent on a mother and a father, and others helping the baby to survive. Imagine, one who would claim to be the all-powerful Creator in flesh, becoming vulnerable and DEPENDENT on fallen human beings like us!

But when you think about it, a baby’s strength also lies in this weakness, as he or she draws people together. The message of Christmas is a paradox. It is through the weak that power is displayed. It is through the vulnerability, that true lasting security is gained. It is through being utterly dependent on others, that a true community is created."

View the time lapse video HERE.

Listen to the sermon HERE.