Final Days

BASSANO, Jacopo.  
Adoration of the Shepherds.
1590-91. Oil on canvas.
San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice.

Happy Advent. For our last Advent mediation, consider now the darkness of the world before Christ. Note in "The Adoration of the Shepherds" the contrast brought by the Light that ruptures the heavens and breaks open hearts of even the rustic shepherds. Consider the ancient night, the slumber of a dead world. Consider the distance Bassano portrays from heaven to earth.
For the Latin, make sure you study in these last days.  

Agenda:

1. Pray God to have mercy on you. 
2. Take Finals. 

Week III: Advent Meditation Part II

ALTDORFER, Albrecht. Nativity.
c. 1513. Linden panel, 36 x 26 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

Yesterday we recalled the story of Moses and the golden calf at Sinai. How the people of Israel lost faith because of their impatience. And how many people still do this today and cannot wait for Christ to come back down the mountain of heaven. Let us today consider another aspect to that story. When Moses did descend the mountain and found the Israel breaking the first commandment he so recently received from God, broke the commandments themselves, almost as an object lesson for mankind. But what was it that he carried? Was it not the word of God? Whether or not they knew it, the Israelites were awaiting the word of God from Moses. But in Advent we wait for the Word of God Himself, who is Christ, waiting for his coming now in Christmas and for his return at the end of all things.    
 
Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Review the end books of The Ballad of the White Horse. 
3. Study for Finals!
4. Review HW:
1. Study for Oral Exam for Monday!  
1. Recall keys ideas from all books thus far
2. Think of the common themes
2. Review and study notes on The Ballad:
1. Check the Essay Prompts for the Final
3. Be good.