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A Degas Ballerina: The Star
An
Art to Heart™
Christmas Devotional
 All
the world loves Degas ballerinas. So bright. So joyous. So
beautiful. But what does a Degas Ballerina have to do with Christmas?
This painting's title is "The Star." And what a brilliant star she is.
For what seems like ages, the crowd has awaited her promised appearance, and now
they watch in wonder as she brings the empty stage to life, glittering with
glory and grace.
Her brilliance reminds us of that other star: the one that appeared one night
over a manger in Bethlehem. With much more longing the whole world had
awaited that star, and with infinitely more glory and grace, it brought true
life to Earth. Our thrill upon seeing the ballerina is just a whisper of
the joy with which creation witnessed the coming of our Savior.
But what many do not know is that Degas did not paint ballerinas to honor them.
Sadly, he thought of women as little better than another species of animal.
And yet, despite his distaste for women, he could not stop himself from choosing
them as subjects of his paintings. And what spectacularly beautiful
portraits he made, especially of the ballerinas. What a battle must have
raged inside his soul! We may mourn his abhorrent attitude, but we can
give thanks that he was not completely insensitive to the value of women, and
that this truth was able to break through his encrusted mistrust and shine forth
from his paintings.
We celebrate a similar triumph at Christmas. Though God has always loved
us, our sin and willful rejection should have made us His enemy.
But God's love for us is so miraculously strong that it is able to break through
the crust of our unworthiness.
And when it breaks through at Christmas, it pierces the darkness like a star in the night.
So bright! So joyous! So beautiful!
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Note:
If there is sufficient interest,
the above devotional will be offered as a set of Christmas cards next year,
with the painting on the cover and the text inside, including blank space
for a personal message. If you are a Christian, these cards will be
good for any use, but particularly to send to your non-Christian friends.
Please check the appropriate
box in our feedback form if
you'd like to know when Christmas cards become available.
To request permission to use this devotional,
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