Madonna and Child; A Symbol of Hope This Christmas Season ✨

Good morning, everyone and happy holidays!

During the month of December, I want to introduce a piece of art that captures the essence of the season. This Icon holds a special meaning to me because I was gifted one of the same style for my confirmation day many years ago. Growing up in the Catholic Church, I always had a deep reverence for Mary, and even though I don’t attend church regularly anymore, the memories still hold a place in my heart.  

The beauty of the painting, expertly crafted by local artist Diane Robbins, holds deep symbolism and meaning to people from all corners of the world.

In Christianity the celebrated and deeply revered image of the virgin Mary with the Christ Child, is a central theme that symbolizes divine love, salvation and the intimate bond between mother and child. In our own lives it can represent the opportunity we all have for rebirth, or a second birth to the divine child within us, as we transform and grow in our spiritual journey. It shows us the longing we have at the core of our being to return home to the seat of divine love and reunite with our own spiritual being within us. This popular icon attracts people from all over the world, whether you are religious or not, there’s something so relatable in the duality depicted through this beautiful painting. It draws us in by the pure and unadulterated bond of maternal love, mercy and care in both human and divine form, casting a wide scope of observation to those in both Christianity and the secular world. It not only depicts this most pure bond between mother and child, and the mystery of humankind and salvation, but also the relationship and bond of human nature to our divine spirit. Iconography is a unique form of art that portrays a vast array of symbolism, in almost caricature-like depictions of real-life people. With the Madonna and Child Icon, we are shown the duality of Mary as both a human mother and divine being; in her expression we see a deep sadness as she holds her son, foreseeing his future suffering and death. In this we see the two complimentary and opposing forces: life and death, human and divine, dark and light, human birth and spiritual birth, suffering and hope… that are brought together to form a unique bond: showing us the reality of human nature, suffering and divine hope yoked together in a common thread.

This holiday season, we take time to return home and be with our families and loved ones. We find comfort and solace as past and future hopes and dreams come together in the present moment, as we share in the joy of each other. It is a time of reflection, a respite from the heaviness that can sometimes be our everyday lives, worries, and routines. We give ourselves permission to return to the joy and wonder of childhood, to see things with a fresh set of eyes, to partake in laughter, games and trivial things that unite us and replenish our spirits ✨

This Christmas, my wish is that we may all be brought back to this place of comfort, peace and solace that gives our spirit reason to hope. If you are an art lover and wish to check out or purchase Dianes beautiful artwork, please check out the link below!

Museum Contempo