Sunday, November 29, 2009

Mary's Hands . . .



“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”   Matt. 1:20-21


I have always loved this picture of Mary with baby Jesus. This is what the artist, Morgan Weistling said about the painting:

 
" I started to contemplate the awesome privilege that Mary was given, being able to hold God in her arms, but also keeping in mind that He was still her baby. This cute little child whom she bore was also God in the flesh. And yet, she cuddled and kissed Him, just as all mothers do with their babies. This thought propelled me right into this painting which I wanted to be a very human representation of divinity. My prayer is that the viewer will be struck, as I am, with the amazing way that God chose to send His Son into this world — in pure humility."  


I, love the way the Mary is embracing baby Jesus, holding him with her hands, very gently cradling Him.  A few years ago, I wrote this poem about the hands of Mary- what gratitude and compassion I have for her.


 Mary's Hands
By Barbara Empey

Hands gently holding her new born Son,
Still not comprehending why she was the one.
Hands pressed together, she offers a prayer,
Thanking God up above for this babe in her care.

Hands tearing pieces of linen so white,
To wrap 'round her babe on this cold April night.
Hands, ready to hold and comfort her child,
Who lay in that stable so meek and so mild.

Hands, now older, reaching up to her Son,
Now, understanding why she was the one.
Hands pressed together, she offers a prayer,
"Father, please take him, this pain he can't bear."

Hands, Oh so tenderly, saying farewell,
As her Son goes home with His Father to dwell.
Hands, reaching out to His Father above,
They embrace and rejoice in eternal love.

May our hands remember the gentle kind touch,
Mary had for her child, why she loved Him so much.
Let's never forget the price Christ, chose to pay,
As we glorify Him, on this Christmas day.

Have a blessed Sunday, Barb

4 comments:

The Stewart said...

Wow!!! I had no idea you wrote poetry! It is beautiful! I love it. And the quote from the artist.

Karen Beth said...

That is one of my favorite pictures also. I love the poem. Thank you for the reminder. Love you.

Heather B. said...

What a great poem! You made me tear up.

Beth at Aunties said...

Barb,
I am so glad you found my blog. At first I thought you were my sister in law who lives in Boise! She was just blessed with her 4th grandchild and so then I knew it wasn't her.

I am so very touched by your words and your beauitful poem about Mary... I love it. Can I have permission to use it for V Teaching?

Your post made me excited to go see the Forgotten Carols in a couple weeks. We haven't ever been and I love Michael Mcleans song about Mary and look forward to see it acted out also.
Come by any time and visit!~♥

Oh, I was raised in Pocatello:) Lived in Idaho Falls and Ammon. My mom is a Ricks (Ricks College) and so SE Idaho is home to our family from the beginning of Idaho being civilized.:)

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