READ
Matthew 1:1-17
FROM THE ARTIST
Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman
As I began this piece, I was inspired by the composition and movement of the From Generation to Generation… logo. In this image, I chose to represent Christ using a rose at the center of the composition.The women mentioned in the genealogy are imaged as foundational leaves building and upholding Christ. All of the women are looking at the viewer and holding objects to represent the fact that they took their life and survival into their own hands. They were catalysts who propelled the lineage forward. In the bottom left, Tamar holds her father-in-law’s insignia, which represents how she assumes his role as the leader of the tribe of Judah and continues its lineage.¹ Moving counterclockwise, Rahab holds the red cord which she lowered to ensure the safety of her family after supplying Israelite spies enough information to achieve victory in Jericho. Next, Ruth holds the wheat that she gleaned from the field. She knows that she must marry again in order to be protected, and so she takes initiative with Boaz. Bathesheba’s name isn’t even mentioned in Christ’s genealogy; she is referred to as the “wife of Uriah.” She withstands abuse from King David, survives the murder of her husband, and ensures that her son Solomon takes the throne.She takes matters into her own hands, becoming, as scholar Dr. Wil Gafney writes, “the queen mother of the united monarchy of Israel.”² Finally, there is Mary who looks adoringly at the rose which represents her son. Here she holds the love and pride of a beautiful lineage that leads to the birth of her son, the Messiah.
These women only wanted to ensure safety for themselves and for their children; in the process they ensured the continuation of the lineage of Christ. Without their brilliance, passion, ingenuity, resourcefulness, creativity, and sacrifice, the lineage would have ended.
PRAY
Breathe deeply as you gaze upon the image on the left. Imagine placing yourself in this scene. What do you see? How do you feel?
Get quiet and still, offering a silent or spoken prayer to God.
- Attridge,HaroldW.FromthefootnoteforGenesis38:15-19.The HarperCollins Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (San Francisco, CA: Zondervan, 2006). 62-3.
- Gafney, Wilda C. Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne.
A Letter from the Christian Formation Staff at First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte:
This year’s Advent devotional is produced by Sanctified Art. Sanctified Art is a group of artists and ministers who create liturgical resources for churches and congregations. At first, this group’s work focused on equipping people to increase the use of creativity in spiritual practices. As they found great success, their vision and mission grew quickly.
Now, their work includes resources for churches and congregations to use in worship, small groups, liturgical seasons, and personal spiritual practices. This group of talented people have quickly become a popular source of new materials for church leaders and ministers.
We are excited to be introducing the 2022 Sanctified Art Advent devotional. We hope this daily devotional will enrich our time in Advent. Some of the devotional styles and practices will be new. We encourage you to try them all. You may discover a new way to speak to God. a different form of prayer, or ideas on how to recognize Christ among us. ‘
As we wait with hope for the incarnation, we invite you to take time to engage with God’s word each day and celebrate this season as a congregation with this Advent devotional.
The Christian Formation Staff
First Presbyterian Church