Vatican Museums. And the Word became Flesh #3

“The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful proclamation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.” With these few words, Pope Francis captures the task that sacred art is called to do – to reveal the truth of the Good News through beauty. Each day of the Christmas Octave, the Vatican Museums and Vatican News will offer a masterpiece from the papal collections, accompanied by a reflection from the Popes.

Mariotto di Nardo (Florence, fl. 1388-1424), Stories of the Virgin: Nativity, Panel of a predella; ca. 1385, tempera and gold on poplar; 34.5 x 25.7 x 3.5 cm; © Musei Vaticani

“The goodness of God! God is good! This is the message of Christmas. This is the theme for reflection that the Pope gives to the faithful. Let them continually remember God’s goodness, and that, in Jesus Christ, each one of us is cherished, each one of us is loved. Christ is the centre from which radiates the richness of the Lord’s kindness. One of his rays, if we grasp it, breaks upon us from Christ above.”

Pope Paul VI – Christmas Homily – 1963

Series Editor: Paolo Ondarza

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