Dec. 11: The King of Beauty Comes

Head of Christ, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, c. 1648–1656. 35.8 x 31.2 cm. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Public domain.

“I Stand in Awe of You” from the album Waiting for my Ride to Come. Performed by Annie (Ward) Herring, composed by Mark Altrogge.

“Beautiful Savior” from the album Great Hymns of Faith, Vol. III. Performed by St. Olaf Choir and Anna Shevik with conductor Anton Armstrong. Silesian Folk Tune arranged by F. M. Christiansen.

Poetry:

“Tell Us”
by R.S. Thomas

We have had names for you:
The Thunderer, the Almighty
Hunter, Lord of the snowflake
and the sabre-toothed tiger.
One name we have held back
unable to reconcile it
with the mosquito, the tidal wave,
the black hole into which
time will fall. You have answered
us with the image of yourself
on a hewn tree, suffering
injustice, pardoning it;
pointing as though in either
direction; horrifying us
with the possibility of dislocation.
Ah, love, with your arms out
wide, tell us how much more
they must still be stretched
to embrace a universe drawing
away from us at the speed of light.

BEHOLD CHRIST: FULLNESS OF BEAUTY

Sitting quietly with my friend I prepared a tray of essential items which included a simple watercolor painting propped next to the image of her young family. The diagnosis haunted our simple setup––cancer. The Scripture penned along the stems of the watercolor flowers did little to dress up and beautify the cacophony of pain medication, symptom logs, doctor appointment notes, and the impending struggle ahead.

Our meditations today call us to a similar tension as we are asked to behold Christ in all His beauty. “Altogether lovely,” Song of Psalms declares over Him. Isaiah proclaims him the “king of beauty.” Poet R.S. Thomas describes him as an “Almighty hunter” and “saber-toothed tiger.” Zacharia shouts, “How great His beauty.” The songs chosen for today sing a melody that whispers He is “beautiful beyond description,” and a “Beautiful Savior” whose glory, honor, praise, and adoration will stand forever. If you close your eyes and imagine this beautiful being described by so many you might not conjure up the same image as Rembrandt above.

At first glance, the photo’s color scheme looks like it was inspired by a cloud of dust, the type that haunts a road often traveled. It is not bright, regal, kingly, or ‘take your breath away’ stunning. The mosaic of browns does little to fuel the verbal descriptions captured above.

The beauty beheld in Rembrandt’s depiction of Christ is authentic, one clothed in humility, truth, and love. It beckons us to see the world––Christ, suffering, love, hardship, and hope through eyes that intake what is seen and unseen into a united truth.

The simple image calls us to the space where Hope and suffering collide, and faith sparks forth in a beautiful display. A melodic blend inviting us to intake suffering and love united in beauty on a cross.

To truly see in this way is the work of faith. Christ’s beauty, unfettered by time, is a siren call to behold the richness of what has been accomplished, but not yet realized in its fullness.

Hope and suffering, united by faith, help us reach beyond sight and behold what is true––Christ and his promises in their full beauty. Our Beautiful Savior personifies death and suffering united with resurrection and healing. The collision of these creates stunning beauty that overwhelms prophets, poets, prophesies, songs, and visual mediums.

At my friend’s home, my eyes skim over her medical files, and the word “cancer” jumps from the pages causing tears to obstruct my vision. It suspends me in a moment where I am reminded to look beyond what I can see on the medical file. The tears, like the tension of dying and life, are a calling to intake true beauty, hope in Christ, and love personified. At this juncture, sight and faith are united to behold our beautiful Savior.

Prayer:
God, We ask for grace to intake your love outstretched in ways that transcend our mere sight. In suffering and joy help us see the truth of your promises personified in Christ. Give us eyes to see you in breathtaking beauty by taking in your humility, suffering, joy, and love.

Amie Cross, M.Div.
Alumna of Torrey Honors College
Biola University
Chaplain and Missionary

For more information about the artwork, music, and poetry selected for this day, please visit our website via the link in our bio.