The Nativity

The Nativity by Brian Kershisnik (click on it for a larger image)

I saw this painting recently in the BYU Alumni magazine.  I loved it!  When I initially saw it, I had just quickly glanced at it.  I thought it was the birth of a baby -- any baby -- into the arms of loving parents. I didn't notice the man (Joseph) -- just the woman, the baby and all the angels rejoicing.  I thought of our ancestors and the excitement they feel when a spirit enters his/her body and comes down to earth.  I like to think of my own relatives who have passed on, and that they would be nearby when a child comes to our family -- whether it is a new niece or nephew -- or one of our own one day.

It wasn't until I was Visiting Teaching that I pulled out the magazine to show my friend when I realized that it was entitled "The Nativity" and depicted the birth of Jesus Christ.  I read a commentary on a blog about the painting (not from the artist).  He noted that Joseph looked interesting.  He thought Joseph was either exhausted from the birth or was over-whelmed at what this Event meant for the world.  The blogger also noticed that the angels' eyes could not stop looking at the Child -- that the angels continued moving on -- as if they were ready to get out there and share the Good News!