The Rock Split Open
“The government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Leonardo da Vinici's painting "The Virgin of the Rocks" opens before us an a imaginative scene of Mary with Jesus, and John the Baptist as children playing together with an angel in a rocky grotto. It is a deceptively straightforward image that mirrors the complex space made within us as we contemplate the mysteries of the Incarnation, and the miraculous events that attend the seasons of Advent and Christmas. The Gospels tell us little about Mary's specific character, intentions, or the details surrounding Jesus's boyhood. Thus artists have tried to fill in the gaps through creative portrayals like this.
Refining the details promotes continued contemplation. We are drawn to linger over the jagged rocky backdrop as John extends his hand in a gesture of blessing, echoing his later recognition of the Christ. Jesus descends from Mary's arms, a staff across shoulder, anticipating his cross. He gestures in blessing toward John, hinting at their special bond. The angel sits at John's right hand, gazing with love and intensity at the Holy Child, and the gestures of his Mother: eyes transfixed on a deeper significance largely invisible to us. And Mary sits in their midst, her expression and posture inscrutable, keeping her own counsel. What mysteries stir in her heart as she begins to fathom the destiny of this child she sends into the world?
We see only fragments, through a glass darkly. Yet Leonardo, drawing these symbolic details into a rich, realistic portrait that opens avenues for us to imagine and wonder. As we prepare for Christ's coming, creativity partners with Scripture to awaken awe anew. Like the revelatory angels, astonishing prophecies, and whispered hopes interwoven through Advent's texts, great art unveils the obscure and illuminates the familiar. We see dazzling beams filtering through this subterranean scene. Gradually details emerge like our comprehension of the miracle of the Incarnation unfolding across the centuries.
Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.
—Luke 1:38
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Texts for this Week
Prayer
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and as we are sorely hindered by our sins from running the race that is set before us, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever.
Mother of God
This tender acoustic lullaby gazes with hope and wonder at the miracle unfolding in Bethlehem — God coming to dwell among humanity in vulnerable flesh. The refrain “Emmanuel! God with us” invites us to sit with Mary — the humble maiden who carries the Lord of all creation within her — and open our hearts to the self-same wonder.
The song emphasizes the mystery and beauty of the incarnation event, more than Mary’s interior emotional journey specifically. The lyrical lines expressing surrendered trust – “you will be with child, do not fear” – seem to apply more broadly to anyone meeting the disruptive annunciation of Christ’s coming just as much as to Mary originally.
The intimate nativity images of the “baby boy” who will grant abundant peace and reconciliation remind us of this week’s Isaiah prophecy promising the Messiah will rule with justice and righteousness forever. The children’s voices echoing these promises link Mary’s miraculous conception to the birth of divine life anew in each believer.
The latter verses build on the Advent theme of eager longing for Christ to show us “a better way,” breaking through the world’s violence with holy peace flowing from God’s very presence come to dwell among us. The song crescendos in the chorus cries of “Emmanuel!” – a title for Christ evoking this week’s scriptural celebration of astounding reversal, lowly Mary exalted as the mother of heaven’s rescuer born to redeem the earth.
Introitus
Rorate Coeli Desuper
The text for this week’s introit again draws from the Prophet Isaiah (45:8), with responding psalm verse lifting the up opening words of Coeli enarrat: Psalm 19:1. In English, the whole thing runs like this:
Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let it bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it. Ps. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
