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Download “Mary the Dawn” Poem Printable

How do we understand Mary?

The Virgin Mary is a tricky Biblical character. Some people appear to almost worship her, others don’t pay her any mind at all. Certainly Christian traditions like Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox churches blanket their churches with her image. Other Christians ask: do they forget Jesus in the process? The Bible mentions her briefly at several points but says little about how Christians today are supposed to view her.

How do we understand her? Is it possible to get to know her better, to understand better her role in salvation history? Does she have something to say to us? Is she a model of feminine genius or patriarchal oppression?

Model of feminine genius or patriarchal oppression?

I am an artist and not an apologist or theologian. Images are my business and my vocation and I have spent more than a decade meditating, responding and contemplating images of Mary in art history in an attempt to create my own contemporary response. For years I have been meditating on the images in this hymn, trying to put the words into pictures, finding that those pictures sometimes combined with other images from art history or the Bible.

There is one hymn which has helped me see the complexities and beauties of the character of Mary, and it has inspired me to create many works of art. Many people told me in my spiritual journey: Mary always points to Jesus, Mary never takes attention from Jesus, Mary always leads to Jesus. This hymn, that I found years ago in an exhibition catalog about an exhibit of Marian art, has helped me understand that dynamic better.

Mary never takes attention from Jesus, Mary always leads to Jesus.

Through meditating on the images in this hymn I have come to understand better why so many Christians over the centuries have venerated Mary and appealed to her to intercede. Through creating these paintings I have better understood Christian teachings on Mary’s role in salvation.

Mary the Dawn, Christ the perfect day;
Mary the Gate, Christ the heavenly Way.

Mary the Root, Christ the mystic Vine;
Mary the Grape, Christ the sacred Wine.

Mary the Wheat-sheaf, Christ the living Bread;
Mary the Rose tree, Christ the Rose blood-red.

Mary the Font, Christ the cleansing Flood;
Mary the Chalice, Christ the saving Blood.

Mary the Temple, Christ the temple’s Lord;
Mary the Shrine, Christ the God adored.

Mary the Beacon, Christ the haven’s Rest;
Mary the Mirror, Christ the Vision blest.

– Medieval Hymn

Do you long to look at Mary in a new way?

I want to send you a copy of the hymn, along with one of my paintings inspired by it, to print out and use as a tool in your quiet moments of prayer. Through meditating on these words I have come to know Mary better, and I hope it will help you to, also.

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