For centuries, artists have been captivated by the image of Mary cradling baby Jesus, seeking new ways to depict this iconic scene. Faced with the same challenge, a contemporary artist turned to Luci Shaw’s evocative poem, “Mary’s Song,” to find a fresh perspective for a Christmas TV special commissioned by Billy Graham. This poem offered a unique lens through which to portray Mary and Jesus, connecting the joyous nativity with the poignant foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
Blue homespun and the bend of my breast
keep warm this small hot naked star
fallen to my arms. (Rest …
you who have had so far to come.)
Now nearness satisfies
the body of God sweetly. Quiet he lies
whose vigor hurled a universe. He sleeps
whose eyelids have not closed before.
His breath (so slight it seems
no breath at all) once ruffled the dark deeps
to sprout a world. Charmed by doves’ voices,
the whisper of straw, he dreams,
hearing no music from his other spheres.
Breath, mouth, ears, eyes,
he is curtailed who overflowed all skies,
all years. Older than eternity, now he is new.
Now native to earth as I am, nailed
to my poor planet, caught
that I might be free, blind in my womb
to know my darkness ended,
brought to this birth for me to be new-born,
and for him to see me mended
I must see him torn.
This powerful poem, “Mary’s Song lyrics,” became the wellspring of inspiration. The lines “for Jesus to see me mended, I must see him… torn” resonated deeply, highlighting the duality inherent in Jesus’ birth – a celebration of new life intertwined with the somber knowledge of his destined sacrifice. The challenge was to visually represent this profound connection between the manger and the cross, Christmas and Calvary.
In the creative process, sketching became a form of prayer, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit. As the figure of Mary cradling Jesus began to emerge, an unexpected image arose from the folds of her robes – hills resembling Calvary. This realization was a pivotal moment, leading to the subtle yet impactful addition of three crosses sketched on the distant hills in the painting. These crosses serve as silent omens, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that this newborn child would one day make. This artistic choice underscores the poignant truth that “for me to be newborn, I must see him torn,” encapsulating the core message of “Mary’s Song lyrics.”
Did Mary, in her maternal embrace, fully comprehend the immense significance of the child in her arms? Did she foresee the suffering that lay ahead? Perhaps not entirely. However, as believers, we possess the knowledge of the complete narrative – the joyous birth and the ultimate sacrifice for salvation. It is this profound understanding of the price paid for our redemption that amplifies the joy of Christmas. May the reflection on “Mary’s Song lyrics” deepen your appreciation for the true meaning of Christmas and the incredible gift of salvation.
