The Church Shines in the Snowy Mountains on Christmas Eve
When it comes to the artistry of my painting Christmas Eve Night, the entire piece is a play on temperature, contrasting a warm, golden glow inside the church against an austere-blue freezing night. I began to explore the idea of contrasting color-temperatures after browsing through several books featuring the paintings of famous artists.
One of my favorite art books is by Maxfield Parrish. He was an American painter in the first part of the 20th century and known for his neoclassical works. His most celebrated painting, called Hilltop Farm, Winter depicts a farm in the dark of winter. His monochromatic use of blue makes the scene look icy cold (even the moon above bears no warmth). The only warm spot in the painting is a golden glow shining from the farmhouse window. His signature use of blue eventually resulted in a hue of cobalt named after him: Parrish Blue.
I was so inspired by his skill with shades of blue, that I decided to imitate his color-palette in a composition of my own. I chose different shades of green and blue for my painting of a church in the mountains on Christmas Eve. Even the pink color on the distant mountains edges toward frigid blue. Ninety-five percent of the painting is rendered in icy-cold colors.
There is, however, one exception. I painted the windows of my little church to look as though they are glowing with warm, radiant light—it’s just a touch of heat in an otherwise cold color palette. I imagined this church, inviting all passersby to come inside on a frigid Christmas Eve night and find warmth, comfort, joy, and a happy welcome.
Isn’t that what Christmas Eve is all about? Isaiah 9:2 says that “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (ESV). When Jesus came, he pierced the frosty darkness with his warmth, light, and life.
You and I have the great privilege of being a bit like this country church. We can share the inviting light of Jesus’s love with those we encounter. Let’s let people see that they will find comfort and a happy welcome in the light of Christ.
With thoughts of this little church in the snow, may you have a Happy Christmas, dear friends.
– Joni Eareckson Tada
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Join Joni, along with her husband Ken and their good friend, Shauna, as she helps us focus on Jesus through Scripture, Christmas carols, prayer, and practical ideas.
