The Epiphany, Charles Wesley's Hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and Iconic Realism

 "Adoration of the Magi" by Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640). 

Image: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon, France

The Epiphany: 

The Epiphany is the Christian celebration of the Infant Jesus and recognition of His divinity as the three kings of the East present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Infant Jesus in the manger. Many have attached symbolic meanings to these gifts, and that is still up for discussion. However, this Biblical event does illustrate my semiotic theory of iconic realism in the following manner: 

1. A baby is born in a lowly place, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of His mother, father, and domestic barn animals. 

2. The baby and His family receive elite visitors, who had followed a star leading to this location. They kneel and worship the infant in this lowly place. Then, they present Him with extravagant gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the usual gifts given to a newborn infant. 

3. This presentation illustrates the juxtaposition of Divinity and humility. Thus, through humble means, people can accept Divine Love and find purpose within their lives. 

***************************************************************************

The hymn, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing:'

In the mid-eighteenth century, Charles Wesley wrote lyrics to hymns that Christians sing to this day. His hymns are instructive and relevant to the daily journey in which we engage. The 1739 hymn, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," is often sung in churches after Christmas Eve, for this hymn explains the purpose of Jesus' birth. This hymn is an excellent one for the Epiphany because the lyrics describe the brilliant skies of Bethlehem after Jesus has been born, providing all with knowledge of God's light in each life, just as the Magi experienced as they greeted the newborn King with humility and grace. 

How does this Christmas hymn reflect iconic realism? 

1. Iconic angels sing in the evening skies, as they declare the "Glory to the newborn King" and these beings are seen by all those who look up into this glorious scene, including the lowliest of humanity. 

2. The lines, "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity," place this innocent baby in the  role of Godliness even at His birth, an unusual role for one at this time in His life. 

3. The final verse demonstrates the Divine purpose of His birth in the following lines: 

Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

He will bring enlightenment, life, and healing through his patient and 'mild' mannerisms, for He was born to bring everlasting life, and to show humanity the fulfillment of the 'second birth,' in current terms, being  born again.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
A hymn written by Charles Wesley, 1739

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Dante Alighieri's "Paradiso" and Iconic Realism

Photo from Google Images

http://kidslink.bo.cnr.it/ic6-bo/scuolainospedale/num6-2/divcom/Image8.jpg

Dante Alighieri's final book of The Divine Comedy is Paradiso. In this book, he demonstrates the theory of iconic realism in that he aligns the spirit of the beloved Beatrice with the true wisdom of God, yet he simultaneously illustrates the need for humanity to acknowledge the glorious virtues found within the parameters of human interaction. 

CANTO IV, lines 28-39: The souls exist as projections of their truest light, the light that shines directly from God, which is their 'true home' whereas in lines 72-81, what the Pilgrim cannot learn directly must be taught him through a suffering analogy involving the senses, human physiological experience. This contradicts the earlier lines that indicate truth as intangible and experienced only through one's own enlightenment from God. 

The human will can enjoy freedom to move of his own accord; he can act in response to the intensity of individual motivation. When perfect, Divine balance exists between two motives, and the will could feel deprived of its power to move. It could thus become paralyzed. A paradox that remains is humanity needs to interact with others but resists the risk of relying on God to help us take the right and effective action. The result could be apathy... or right action. We must decide. Paradise could exist anywhere, even on a mountaintop. 

CANTO IV

Lines 28-39:

Choose the most God-like of the Seraphim---     

    take Moses, or Samuel, or take either John, 

    or even Mary--- not one is nearer Him,                 30

nor holds his seat atop the blessed spheres

    in any heaven apart from those you saw; 

    nor has his being more or fewer years.

All add their beauty to the Highest Wheat, 

    share the sweet life, and vary n it only                   35

    by how much of the Eternal Breath they feel.

They showed themselves here not because this post

    has been assigned them, but to symbolize

    that they stand lowest in the Heavenly host.

Lines 72-81: 

" --If violence, to begin,

     occurs when those who suffer its abuse

     contribute nothing to what forces them, 

     then these should have no claim to that excuse.   75

For the will, if it will not, cannot be spent,

     but does as nature does within a flame

     a thousand or ten thousand winds have bent.       

If it yields of itself, even in the least, 

     Then it assists the violence -- as did these            80

     who could have gone back to their holy feast. 

from: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri

Translated by John Ciardi 

New American Library, 2003

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Photo by Debbie Dewitt

Today, January 2, 2025, we mourn the loss of those caught in the snares of the evil one in New Orleans whilst celebrating the new year. We pray that the law enforcement agencies of New Orleans will provide appropriate protection for those attending the upcoming sports events and all other events of that city, in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen. 

Happy New Year!

We have completed another revolution around the sun, bringing us in conjunction with our recent past experiences and plans that will unfold during the new year. Our intentions can work for the amelioration of ourselves as well as others in order to affect positive change. During the next few days, I will be spending some time in deep thought with a focus on bringing you some new examples of iconic realism throughout the coming year.  

Meanwhile, I wish all of you a pleasant, warm, and safe New Year’s celebration!

Cheers!