A new artwork — suspected to be by Banksy — is seen near the Centre Point building in London. The renowned street artist shared a post on Instagram on Monday indicating authorship of an identical work that appeared in another part of the city. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.”
Matthew 2:1-2
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you...
There are two identical artworks that have shown up in London by Banksy, the artist who began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, Today he is one of the world's best-known artists and his paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars. While his work is often critical of government policy on migration and war, this latest artwork seems more like an exploration of wonder than social commentary.The two figures appear to be an adult and child, dressed for winter, pointing twoard the stars.
In a few days we will celebrate the Feast of Epiphany in the Christian year, celebrating the journey by the Magi, astrologers and astronomers, who follow a celestial body to the Christ Child in Bethelem. There are plenty of images of their journey but what would they be able to see in the night sky in this time when light pollution such as the building in the background would produce.
There are a growing number of Dark Sky Preserves on different continents, an attempt to create oases of darkness for night-time wonder and observation. They often offer programs to teach night sky literacy, letting participants take a gander through telescopes.
I've written about our experiences on Change Islands off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, adjacent to Fogo. Two summers ago in August I set my alarm for 2AM so that I could go outside to look for the Perseid Meteor Shower. Not only did I see some meteors, the Milky Way was brilliant, and the Aurora Borealis was visible to the west -- the triple crown of night sky observation! Thanks to my advanced scouting Ruth was willing to stir herself from the warmth under the covers.
More is being written about the detrimental psychological and presumably spiritual effects of not being able to experience the wonder and awe of observing the night sky. I'm grateful that the story of the Magi is part of our Christian faith tradtion and that we can look up, waay up.
