This year, Episcopal Charities has invited several folks to reflect on a central text from the Advent lectionary: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!”
The artwork above, by Franco-American artist Tommy Panigot, was created for Episcopal Charities as a reflection on the work of the manger, and an invitation for us to contemplate the Advent text from Isaiah. For this work he reflects:
“My circling around this theme and coming back to manger imagery was about reconsidering the raw materials that revealed deity to the world. The denouement wasn’t a new paradigm foreign to our existence, but in a way a reminder of what was ‘good’ in the creation of this world and our human existence. Deity chose the raw materials of the beginning to remind us that the author is still present and remains faithful, therefore, we have every reason to be hopeful and rejoice!”