“While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:6-7)
Tag: Wood carving
✙ 4th Station of the Cross: Christ meets his mother
As Christ made his way through the city, tradition has it that he briefly met his mother along the way. Her presence at his Passion had been prophesied by Simeon.
✙ 10th Station of the Cross: Christ is stripped of his clothes
Christ went out through the city gate to the hill of Golgotha, which we know in English as ‘Calvary’. When he reached the summit, the soldiers stripped him of his clothes, leaving him naked and defenceless.
✙ 11th Station of the Cross: Christ is nailed to the cross
The 11th station pictures the crucifixion. At Golgotha, with arms and feet outstretched, Christ was brutally nailed to the cross by the Roman soldiers.
The Crucifixion (Psalm 22:1-18)
Psalm 22, traditionally thought to be by King David, is a heartrending prayer for relief from suffering. From the gospels, however, we learn that the psalm is also a coded reference to the crucifixion of Christ. There are a number of reasons why this is. Firstly, St John’s gospel says that while Christ was being … Continue reading The Crucifixion (Psalm 22:1-18)
The Life of St Joseph (Matthew 1:18-2:23)
St Joseph is probably best-known for his key role in the Nativity, travelling with his pregnant wife to Bethlehem and caring for the Christ child in the manger. However, there are several other episodes recorded in the gospels that tell us more about him and of his important role in the life of Christ. As … Continue reading The Life of St Joseph (Matthew 1:18-2:23)
The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
According to the Church, the death of Christ is revealed throughout the whole Bible. As Pope St John Paul II explained: “There were many messianic texts in the Old Testament which foreshadowed the sufferings of the future Anointed One of God. Among all these, particularly touching is the one which is commonly called the Fourth … Continue reading The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
This very human story of how Christ talked anonymously with two mourning disciples is found in St Luke’s gospel, although it’s briefly mentioned in St Mark’s too (16:12-13). Pope Benedict XVI once summarised it very well. He said: “It tells the tale of two followers of Christ who, on the day after the Sabbath or … Continue reading The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
The Multiplication of the Loaves (John 6:1-15)
The miracle of the loaves and fishes, often referred to as the ‘Feeding of the Five Thousand’ is found in all four of the gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-15). In the story, Christ borrowed some loaves and fishes from a little boy, blessed and broke them, and then miraculously used them … Continue reading The Multiplication of the Loaves (John 6:1-15)
The Childhood of Christ (Luke 2:39-40; 51-52)
Although it’s a favourite subject in art, little is actually known of the childhood of Christ. All we know is that after his birth in Bethlehem, he grew up in Nazareth, living in obedience to his parents. As Pope St John Paul II said: “The Gospels offer very sparse information about the years the Holy … Continue reading The Childhood of Christ (Luke 2:39-40; 51-52)
Lo & Behold 