Monday July 4th, 2016 Deuteronomy 30:9-14
No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe. (verse 14)
This past year I learned how to make an icon of The Guardian Angel. Usually we think of “painting” an image, but the ancient Byzantine process of creating an icon, with its 22 steps, is called “writing” an icon. Perhaps this is because an icon makes the written word visible.
The process of writing an icon parallels the Christian life in many ways. As we go through life, we continually discover that God draws near to us in the midst of chaos.
The first layer of colour is called “opening the icon.” The colour of the skin on the angel appears dark green, the texture mottled, representing chaos. One can’t imagine it ever looking like anything you’d want to display. Once the lines are redrawn and the first highlights are added, the angel begins to take shape. Next, a float is put on which submerges the figure back into chaos. Then the lines, highlights and float are repeated a second and a third time. Each time the light shines through the chaos. The image always there is disclosed, each time with greater clarity and depth.
God our creator, we thank you for giving us your word made visible in Jesus Christ. May our lives also bear the image of your word. Amen. — RF
Contributed by Writing an Icon
This past year I learned how to make an icon of The Guardian Angel. Usually we think of "painting" an image, but the ancient Byzantine process of creating an icon, with its 22 steps, is called "writing" an icon. Perhaps this is because an icon makes the written word visible.
The process of writing an icon parallels the Christian life in many ways. As we go through life, we continually discover that God draws near to us in the midst of chaos.
The first layer of colour is called "opening the icon." The colour of the skin on the angel appears dark green, the texture mottled, representing chaos. One can't imagine it ever looking like anything you'd want to display. Once the lines are redrawn and the first highlights are added, the angel begins to take shape. Next, a float is put on which submerges the figure back into chaos. Then the lines, highlights and float are repeated a second and a third time. Each time the light shines through the chaos. The image always there is disclosed, each time with greater clarity and depth.
