jim henson

Today, during this third week of Advent, we see a painting called Dawn of Hope by Daniel Gerhartz.  We have seen his work before--two weeks ago, actually, with Journey Home.

Today we see a poignant painting where a little girl in white with a white daisy wreath in her blond hair, cups a flaming candle in a bowl.  We see the light reflecting off her peaceful face as she gazes at the fire.

Behind her, a woman lies almost in a fetal position, clutching her head in despair.    Her dark hair and neutral color dress add to her depressed demeanor.  Behind her in the upper left of the painting, is a ballerina with a similar looking flame-like light next to her.  

I wonder if the woman is mourning the loss of her dancing career.  Or, perhaps the dancer is a symbol of the joy she once had in life. It seems very far away. She feels alone, not seeming to realize the little girl is there, and not having any conscious memory of whatever the dancer once meant to her.

In spite of all this, the title of the painting lets us know that Hope has come.

That is what the third week of Advent is about.

Hope.