Burkhard Scheffler, second from right, a homeless man who died from the cold in 2022 on the edge of St. Peter's Square, is portrayed as St. Peter in a painting, the central of the triptych, by German artist Michael Triegel and exposed in the chapel of the Teutonic College at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
A lof of us have Nativity scenes that show up each year in our homes. There are still churches which have large-as--life Nativities on their lawns, although in recent years thefts of the baby Jesus seem to be more common. I do have fond memories of the Living Nativity held over several evenings each year in one congregation, complete with barnyard animals. I try to forget how ridiculously cold it was some years as we sat on bales of hay. It came to an end when Cricket, the donkey, would no longer walk up into the transportation vehicle.
There are hundreds, probably thousands of Nativity paintings, in locations around the Earth. I like this one, painted in a traditional style but with some important additions. Can you make out the bearded guy in the back row with the baseball cap? Seven years ago the artist, Michael Triegel, asked a homeless man outside St. Peter's Basilica if he would be the model in a figure of a Nativity he was creating, a replacement for the central painting of a centuries-old triptych that had been destroyed. In his version Triegel includes Burkhard Scheffler who died three years ago from the cold. The late Pope Francis had a heart for the poor and dispossessed, providing food, shelter, and showers around the Vatican for those on the streets but Burkhard succumbed to the elements, as so many do.
When you get a moment, read the article in the link below about who some of the other figures are, including the daughter of the painter as Mary. It was all so well thought out and meaningful.
On this Christmas morning we can remember those who spent Christmas Eve and night in warming centres and oft-times crowded shelters, as well as those who were "sleeping rough." Christ in his mercy and love came for them and for us.
Thank you, all, for finding the moments in your days to read this blog and for your comments. I hope this day is filled with the peace and joy of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment