This wonderful wooden carved scene comes from Togo, and was created by an artist called Roger J Bawi.

'A Musical Welcome' reflects local culture, where a whole village will turn out to welcome a new baby. Drums, a horn and a flute supply merry music.  A poet/herald called a 'griot' who carries a rattle welcomes the baby.

In this depiction, the magi's hats mark them out as strangers or visitors.

Music and community - sounds a little bit like the aspirations of many churches.  Hmm!    

Today's painting is by He Qi, a Chinese Christian artist and theologian, who began painting religious scenes inspired by Raphael's 'Madonna and Child' having found himself 'very moved by the softness of the Virgin's smile'.

A teenager during the cultural revolution, He Qi painted pictures of Mao Zedong by day, and religious works by night!

It was possibly painting these scenes that helped him come to faith in Christ.

CONTENT WARNING - mental ill health, depression

I have been more than a little remiss in posting updates on the Jesse tree - my days are full and very long, and just keeping the essential plates spinning is a full time job.

Today's symbol is for Elijah, and links to the exciting events that took place on Mount Carmel, when the prophets of Baal were left looking foolish.  But the story carries on and takes a sharp downturn - Elijah under threat of death flees to a far away place where depression overwhelms him and he experiences very dark thoughts, wishing that he might die.

In a tender, humane story, God ensures he has food and rest before taking him into a cave on Mount Horeb.  Here, he meets God not in signs and wonders, but in absence, in 'the sound of silence'.

The apophatic tradition, or via negativa, are important aspect of faith, recognising that sometimes God is experienced only in seeming absence, and named only by what God is not.

This story is important, and relevant, because it reminds us that it is okay not to be okay.  That amidst the fake jollity and festive razzmatazz there are people hurting deeply and suffering greatly.  Somewhere, in that darkness and silence, God is.

For any UK readers who might find it helpful, the Samaritans UK direct line number is 116 123  

This beautiful Chinese work of art is almost one hundred years old.  Painted by a convert to Christianity, the magi are portrayed as Buddhist monk (kneeling), a Confucian scholar, and the founder of Taoism holding the bottle.

The resource leaflet says "All three schools in traditional Chinese culture come together to worship the Christ." We know nothing about the magi, but this idea certainly provokes thought.

This beautiful Chinese paper cut by the artist He Qi begins our week,  The red paper is a sign of celebration, the symbols jpyful and beautiful .

The lovely poem' Bethlehem Lies Dreaming' doesn't seem to be available online, but here is the final stanza...

My bones, my flesh, my blood, my lungs and my
heart were all made by his hand.  This night my
heart is at peace, awaiting my creator's return.  My
heart belongs to him, it is his home.

Wang Wei-fan