For Advent, my wife, Kristina, is selling this stunning limited edition, black and white print of the Visitation (hand embellished with gold ink). Order soon to get it by Christmas!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1130542635/the-visitation-of-mary-and-elizabeth
I also wrote a short reflection for this painting.
Both of these women carried in their hearts the story of God's promise and the longing of a people waiting to be saved. They lived and experienced a world broken by sin and selfishness. They saw the powerful abusing the vulnerable, the rich exploiting the poor. But God's promise to make all things new was an anchor of hope.
For at this moment they carry in their bodies the physical fulfillment of God’s promise. The ache that they’ve carried in their hearts is fulfilled, and happiness overwhelms them.
This painting is an invitation to remember when God has fulfilled that longing in our own hearts and a source of hope for when he will do it again.
This story is an invitation to enter into that longing and that joy. The injustices we experience and witness constantly threaten to drown us. But Mary invites us to hope. To hope for when God will cast down those who abuse their power and lift up the vulnerable, when he will give abundantly to those struggling to survive and a just reckoning to the wealthy.
Every time I see this painting, the words of the Magnificat resonate in a new way. And I invite you to pray with that story as well.
Mary said:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.