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Outstretched Arms       

Neil Petersen

The Nativity, Piero della Francesca, 1470-75

Experts say this work by Piero may be unfinished, its distressed appearance due perhaps to past over-vigorous cleaning. Enough of the painting’s substance however survives for us to enter the scene and this Advent explore its message through what we see.    

 At its centre the Christ child lies on the ground, weak and vulnerable. He shares part of his mother’s blue cloak and responds to her devoted and adoring gaze. The scene is of one of complete calm and serenity. The mother and child are painted with enhanced beauty which emphasises the earthiness of the background against which they are set.

 This is not an idealised depiction. The shelter is in ruins, providing little protection against weather and danger. To the right sits Joseph, in sullen profile, finding it hard to grasp what is going on. Behind him are two shepherds in rough clothes. One points towards heaven, holding his staff as if it were a symbol of royal power – a comment on the heavenly kingdom of the child lying on the ground. Angels form a musical group playing lutes and singing. A donkey brays at the empty manger while an ox looks vacantly at the child. A magpie is atop the roof which itself is in disrepair. There is a steeply winding road at the upper left and a city to the right.   

 As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, this painting allows us to reflect on the vulnerability of life and the difficult circumstances faced by many who find the way ahead baffling, unclear and challenging.  The hope embodied in Christ’s birth is offered as a gift to all through his outstretched arms, a gift which can, when received in faith, transform all our concerns into melodious joy.