December 27, 2008
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Journey
Eugène-Alexis Girardet came from a family of Swiss Huguenots, including many famous artists. Several traveled in northern Africa, where they created paintings noted for their great authenticity.
Girardet, born in Paris in 1853, achieved fame as an artist at an early age. Following in the footsteps of family members, he traveled to northern Africa several times. He, too, received the kind of intimate insights that only can be gained from personal experience.
We sense this knowledge when we study Girardet’s paintings on Biblical subjects. For example, in “The Flight into Egypt,” he sought to capture the journey of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus into Egypt, where they had gone to escape Herod’s relentless pursuit. This painting helps us realize the risk, danger, and loneliness of their journey.
In this painting, Mary rides on a donkey, holding baby Jesus while Joseph leans forward against his walking stick. In the background are faint images of pyramids. All around, Girardet pictured sand…a few rocks…and desolation.
Joseph must have wondered at times how they would survive. Had he truly heard God’s voice? Would they ever see their homeland again?
I’m reading a book right now about the journey of several children traveling across a war torn Europe. It caused to me think of a guy I once knew. He was a young jewish child when WWII hit Europe. He and his sister had to flee Austria to stay alive. When I asked him about it he gave me very little information, not wanting to talk about it. But the information he did give me painted a very terrifiying ordeal.As Joseph learned, it takes courage and faith to believe the words of God and obey Him. As we obey, we, too, can feel alone and face uncertainties and dangers. But in every situation, we must continue to trust that God is faithful. If He has called and directed us, He will protect and provide.
Comments (5)
Amen
yes, when I was about 10yrs old my brother would draw army scenes and I saw the squastika(spell) and at school I drew it on the blackboard just because being an innocent kid I thought it was interesting to draw.
A nun slapped me across the face and said,”catholics were burned in gas chambers,too.” now someone else might come away hating nuns but I realized instantly that that slap was for Hitler and not me.
@jillcarmel - We must never forget or we’ll be destined to repeat it.
yes, and that was a bad deal for all the people
I was thinking how scary it was for the people when Herod ordered children killed. It is hard to imagine the hardships people have faced through the ages