It is not uncommon, even today, for an art historian or museum docent to attribute the use of heavy shadow in Baroque art to the “melancholy” mood of the artist. But this misses the point entirely. Baroque art was all about light, the light of Christ bringing truth to a world darkened by sin and ignorance. To artists such as Peter Paul Rubens shadow represented our fallen nature and the presence of evil, but we are rescued from this by the coming of the Light of the World.
Baroque art was meant to draw people into the story of our salvation. The art of the period was in itself a light to drive away the darkness of confusion brought about by the Reformation.
Today the Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord, forty days after His birth the child Jesus is presented to the temple in Jerusalem. God enters His earthly temple bringing the light of life to banish the darkness of sin and death. The aged Simeon receives the light that will be a revelation to the world, and responds joyfully with a hymn of thanksgiving.
Candles representing this light are blessed today for use throughout the rest of the year. Some places will hold processions with parishioners carrying small candles bringing light to their churches that are still shadowed in the dim light of winter. For Christians, today is the Festival of Lights.
Never shall we forget His presence among us and each year we hold a feast to remember the saving light that brought us all out of darkness and made us a people of God.
As we are called to bear witness to the light let us also remember that we too are called to be a light in the darkness. Through our art, our poetry, our songs, and all the other products of the gifts which God has so generously bestowed upon us, each of us have our candle to bring light to our own dark corners of the world.
Pax Vobiscum,
Peace be with you,
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord