Artist Herbert Morton Stoops had served in World War I in France in the field artillery. In 1944 he painted the above immortal picture that conveys powerfully the meaning of Christmas to a soldier far from home.
Christmas Star
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Home.
That gaze, and the environment he is currently in. The Hope the star might symbolize in his heart.
On Dec. 21st an interesting sight to behold. Alignment of Saturn and Jupiter! The last time Saturn and Jupiter were both this close and visible was in 1226.
Just how far has humanity grown in love for neighbor in nearly 800 years? :/[
Philip. Maybe a little . . .?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1226
@WK AIKEN — It is sufficiently easy to argue in either direction that I could not reject a null hypothesis of no change. The truth is that only God knows.
I hate to say it, but my first thought when seeing that picture is that he is MUCH too exposed.
Only God truly knows…yes.
Some events have created a platform for neighborly love while some behaviors, actions oppose it.
Good point.
Exposed on the front for certain.
Behind the line but a couple thousand miles from home. (?)
Off topic a bit…
The story of WWI in the trenches on Christmas eve…
Is it fiction or fact. The two opposing regiments ceased fire and sang hymns at or around midnight. [?]
Just wondering aloud.
Beautiful painting. Says many things without saying a word: Peace, Hope and Solitude come to mind. Unity with Our Lord. Simplicity, Power and Majesty. All things which show Our Lords humility and His Greatness in one.
It captures well that each year we are reminded that the World stood still when Our Lord came into this world as a baby. And that wherever we are, even alone in the trenches of war, that The Star pierces the Soul of each man and defines the collective history of mankind.
I wonder what other supernatural events occurred that night around the world which marked the night. A question for Heaven one day I guess…
It captures well that each year we are reminded that the World stood still when Our Lord came into this world as a baby.
Yes Ezabelle.
There’s a well edited clip going around the blog sphere that celebrates the event on all the screens in Times Square.
I like it because everyone is still.
Heads high, marveling the mystery, even if it’s only for the production quality, but many of the onlookers are truly moved. Moved because the spark of the divine lives within them, knowingly or not, they stopped and gave HIM a moment of themselves.
As I said, it’s an edited production, but it’s beautiful to behold anyway.
I’ll paste it here in a moment.
https://youtu.be/OOg6pQjhvrI?si=5k7y42M1cxRdjVoN
Thank you Philip.
The Silent Night clip got me again…
… 🙏
Philip – This article is pretty interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce
The Christmas truce.
Thank you Pinky.
Most soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines get to see the Christmas Star. Not so for submarine sailors on patrol under the ocean or Air Force missile technicians on watch in their silos. Let us be grateful for all our service men and women.