Baby Jesus at the National Gallery of Art

Just some Christmas art for you to feast your eyes on -- while you scroll down for your real assignments!


"The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Giorgione, 1505-1510

"The Adoration of the Magi" by Benvenuto di Giovanni in 1470-1475

"Madonna and Child" by Circle of Giovanni di Turino 1430, painted and gilded terracotta

"The Flight into Egypt" by Vittore Carpaccio, 1515

The Life of Christ fresco paintings by Giotto

These seven paintings by Giotto (1267-1337) are just part of the series of frescoes found in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy. I found them on-line at http://www.wga.hu/. The painting titles are in bold print above each picture.


The Visitation

























The Birth of Jesus

Presentation at the Temple

Adoration of the Magi


























The Flight into Egypt


























The Massacre of the Innocents



























Christ Among the Doctors

Music from Handel's Messiah

Watch these videos during the December 7-11 homework week.

Tuesday
"Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive" and "O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion" are from Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:12, Isaiah 40:9, and Isaiah 60:1.  Both of them are in this one video.




"Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye My People" is a recitative from Handel's Messiah. It is from Isaiah 40:1-3. "Ev'ry Valley Shall Be Exalted" is an air based on Isaiah 40:4.  These are the first vocal pieces in The Messiah. 





Wednesday
"For Unto Us a Child is Born" is a chorus in Handel's Messiah.  It comes from Isaiah 9:6.






"The Hallelujah Chorus" is the best known section of Handel's Messiah.  The audience always stands when this is sung, because the King of England did this when he attended a performance, and he set the precedent.  This words to this song are from Revelation 19:6, Revelation 11:15, and Revelation 19:16.

Of the Father's Love Begotten

The Story of Esther Ahn Kim

Dear friends,

In 2007 and 2009, our Providence Home Educators 7th-8th grade English class did a literature study on the Biblical book of Esther. In conjunction with this, I told them the story of a young Korean woman named Esther Ahn Kim who defied Japanese idol worship in 1939 and courageously endured the consequences. The audio presentation below, recorded during class in September 2007, is a little over 11 minutes long.

Paintings about the Story of Daniel

These six drawings and paintings are from the Biblical story of Daniel. They are part of a literature assignment for the 7th-8th Grade English class in the school week of September 14-18, 2009. Write a sentence for each of the five paintings telling some details that you notice.

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, Selects Several Youths to Learn Babylonian Ways by Stemler

Daniel Refuses to Eat the King's Delicacies The illustration is found in "Standard Bible Story Readers, Book Three and Four" by Lillie A. Faris, published by The Standard Publishing Company, 1926 and 1927, and illustrated by O. A. Stemler and Bess Bruce Cleaveland.


The Fourth One Looks Like a God by Annie Vallotton (from the Good News Bible)


Belshazzar's Feast by Rembrandt, 1635 National Gallery, London

Daniel in the Lion's Den by Peter Paul Rubens, National Gallery of Art



The Vision of the Four Beasts from Daniel by Stephanus Garsias Placidus 11th Century

Paintings about the Story of Esther

The titles, artists, years, and links for the three paintings above are...

The Triumph of Mordecai by Pieter Pietersz Lastman, 1624

The Banquet of Esther and Ahasueras by Jan Victors 1670

The Death of Haman, unknown artist, 1372

The three paintings shown here are from the Biblical story of Esther. They are part of a literature assignment for the 7th-8th Grade English class in the school week of September 14-18, 2009. There are three more paintings that I can't copy into this blog post. Right click on the links and open new windows to see the pictures. Then write a sentence for each of the five paintings telling some details that you notice.

Ahasueras Sends Vashti Away by Marc Chagall, 1960 and Esther by Marc Chagall, 1960 Note: Marc Chagall was a Russian born Jew who settled in France. During the 1940's, an American diplomat named Harry Bingham persuaded Chagall to flee France, giving him an unauthorized visa, as he did for hundreds of others. So Chagall could certainly relate to the story of Esther rescuiing the Jews. Chagall wrote: "Ever since my earliest youth I have been fascinated by the Bible. I have always believed that it is the greatest source of poetry of all time...The Bible is an echo of nature, and this I have endeavoured to transmit.... In art everything is possible, so long as it is based on love." You can read more here: Bingham's List: Saving the Jews of Nazi France.

Haman Begging Esther for Mercy by Rembrandt van Rijn, 1655

P.S. Note the similarities between the Jan Victors painting above and the Jan Lievens painting below, which is from 1625. Jan Lievens painted at about the same time as Rembrandt (whose painting "Haman Begging Esther for Mercy" is linked above) -- and this painting by Lievens was thought to have been painted by Rembrandt until this past century. I found it an article about it in the Smithsonian Magazine March 2009 issue, which you can read on-line here: Out of Rembrandt's Shadow by Matthew Gurewitsch.

For Such A Time As This Wayne Watson @ Yahoo! Video

Esther: For Such a Time as This

ESTHER: FOR SUCH AS TIME AS THIS
Literature Study Questions

Esther 1

1. In at least three full sentences, summarize what happened in this passage and your reaction to it.

Esther 2

1. What are the positive character qualities in Mordecai's life?
2. Why didn’t Mordecai want Esther to tell anyone that she was a Jew?

Esther 3

1. What negative character qualities do you see in Haman's life?
2. What do the words homage, edict, and annihilate mean?

Esther 4

1. What is Esther’s first reaction when she found out what the problem was with Mordecai?
2. Mordecai responded with this question: “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” What could this mean to you in the way you live your life?
3. What did Esther ultimately decide to do? What preparations did she ask Mordecai to make before this?

Esther 5

1. Why did Esther ask the king and Haman to come to a banquet instead of coming right out and telling the king her problem?
2. What is Haman’s reaction to the banquet? What is still upsetting him?

Esther 6

1. Look up these verses and tell how they apply to this story: Proverbs 16:5 & 18, Proverbs 26:27
2. Haman being forced to honor Mordecai with the very privileges he had intended for himself is a classic example of IRONY. The plot is definitely turning in this story! What is your reaction to this part of the story?

Esther 7

1. What does the king promise to Esther in verse 2?
2. What does the king think that Haman is doing when he comes back into the room?
3. Why did they cover Haman’s face?
4. Verses 9-10 bring a second irony in this story. The first one (in chapter 6) was that Mordecai received the reward the Haman had planned for himself. Tell what the second one is here.
5. In verse 10, we find that “the wrath of the king abated.” What does the word abated mean?
6. If a cubit is about 18 inches high, how many feet high is a 50 cubit gallows?

Esther 8

1. How does Esther continue to show honor to the king in his passage?
2. What is the plan for the protection of the Jews?
3. Draw a picture of Mordecai as he is described in verse 15.

Esther 9 & 10

1. The next Purim will be celebrated on February 27, 2010. What is Purim, and how is it celebrated now? You can look here for your answers: www.biblicalholidays.com/jewish_customs.htm. Click some of the links at the bottom of that page, too.
2. With information from the web site in question 1, list at least two other Jewish holidays that are still celebrated, and tell what they are about.
3. Write a full paragraph about your overall impression of the story of Esther and how it applies to your life.

Daniel: Man of Vision and Integrity

Daniel 1

1. What was the king’s plan for the noble youths of Israel?
2. What did Daniel and his three friends plan? How did it turn out?
3. What is there in Daniel’s character that we should imitate?

Daniel 2

1. Why was the king angry at the beginning of this chapter?
2. How did Daniel respond to this crisis?
3. What did the dream mean?

Daniel 3

1. In your own words, describe what happened in this chapter.
2. What do you learn about God in this chapter?

Daniel 4

1. What was the meaning of the king’s second dream?
2. What did Daniel tell the king that he should do in response to the dream?
3. For what “bad root” character flaw was the king brought low?
4. What happened at the end of this chapter?

Daniel 5

1. Why was God punishing Belshazzar? There are two main reasons, so make sure you find both of them.

Daniel 6

1. In verse 10, what did Daniel do (and how did he do it) that showed his courage and integrity?
2. What did the Lord do in response to Daniel's faith? See Hebrews 11:32-40. Does God always rescue godly believers from earthly danger? Why or why not?
 
Daniel 7

1. Read Revelation 1 and notice the similarities with this passage.
2. Who is the “Ancient of Days” in verse 9?
3. Who is the “Son of Man” in verses 13-14? (Read Matthew 24:15-44)
4. According to verses 23-27, what do the beasts and horns represent?

Daniel 8

1. During whose kingdom did this chapter happen?
2. How did Daniel react to these dreams?

Daniel 9

1. What words and phrases are used to describe God in this chapter of Daniel?
2. What words and phrases are used to describe mankind in this chapter of Daniel?
3. What does Daniel do and what does he ask God to do?
4. Who brings the answer to Daniel’s prayer? Read Luke 1 and tell what else he did in the Bible.

Daniel 10

1. This chapter in Daniel talks about spiritual warfare in the heavenly places. Read Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and tell what Christians are supposed to do in spiritual warfare.
2. What had Daniel doing before the vision in this chapter appeared?
3. Why had the angel been delayed in responding, even though he heard Daniel's prayers right away?

Daniel 11

1. In at least three sentences, summarize what happens in this chapter.

Daniel 12

1. Find and copy the verse in Daniel 12 which is a promise to the wise.
2. Copy John 11:25 and underline the word that describes what happens in Daniel 12:2.

Painting of Joseph and His Brothers

"Joseph Reveals His Identity" by Peter von Cornelius, German, 1783-1867

This picture is used in the 7th-8th grade English assignments for the second week of homework.

1. 
   
   Where is Joseph in this picture?
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Describe at least three people in this picture. Include their posture, expressions, and what they might be thinking.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   What is in the background of the picture?
   
   
   

Easter Assignment: Palm Sunday and Cleansing

Theme: Palm Sunday and Cleansing


Palm Sunday, which is a week before Easter, commemorates the entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem as children waved palm fronds. Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week.




This painting was created by George & Diana Voyajolu, Iconographers, Kamena Vourla, Greece. The Entry into Jerusalem. Byzantine style, contemporary artists.


Study Guide Assignments

1. Read Matthew 21:1-17. This passage references the Old Testament three times. Copy down a quote in at least one of the verses (5, 13, or 16). Then read the Old Testament references, along with other adjacent verses in context: Isaiah 62:11-12, Isaiah 56:6-8, and Psalm 8:1-4.
2. When Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem, the first place he went was the temple, where he “cleansed” it of all of the unholy things that were going on there. The temple is a symbol of our own hearts that Jesus wants to cleanse and transform into houses of prayer where he can dwell. Read Psalm 51:1-12 and think about it. Copy down the first verse.
   
3. The hymn “All Glory, Laud and Honor” is about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Read the words and listen to the music on-line at: All Glory, Laud and Honor. Read about the hymn and lyricist at Hymn Story and Theoldulph of Orleans. Write down when and where Theodulph lived and died.
4. Click on each of these links to see a classic painting. For each one, tell me who the artist was, as well as about what year the painting was created. Entry Into Jerusalem and Christ's Entry Into Jerusalem. Then look at this stained glass: Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and write at least one sentence about it. Be sure to read the descriptions!
5. Choose one thing from today's assignments -- either a Scripture, the hymn, or a piece of artwork -- and write a response paragraph of at least five sentences that describe it and tell of your personal opinions about it.

Easter Assignment: The Last Supper and Trial

Theme: The Last Supper and the Trial

1. The painting "The Last Supper" (above) is by Leonardo da Vinci. He painted it in 1498 on the refectory (dining room) wall in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. It is 15 feet high and 29 feet long! Click on the picture to enlarge it. Then, pay attention to the details in the picture and write down a few sentences about what story it is telling.
2. All four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) include the story of the "Last Supper" but each one differs in how they present what happened. Read Matthew 26:17-35, Mark 14:12-31, and John 13:1-37. Write down at least one detail in each passage that wasn't in the others. What parts of the story do all of them include? What is one thing that you can apply in your own life from these passages?
3. Read about Gethsemane and the trial at Matthew 26:36-75. Copy down the four section headings from the Scripture passage.
4. The painting "Ecce Homo" is by Swiss artist, Antonio Ciseri (October 25, 1821 – March 8, 1891). "Ecce Homo" means "Behold the Man." The scene is Jesus' trial before Pontius Pilate, who is listening to the crowd. Please click on it to enlarge it. Write a two sentence response to it.

Easter Assignment: The Death of Christ

Theme: The Death of Christ

Study Guide Assignments

1. Read Isaiah 53:1-12 and Psalm 22:1-18. These prophecies were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, yet they foretell his death as the Messiah. Copy at least two verses from one of these passages. Write down at least two words from Isaiah 53 which are synonyms for the word sin.
   
2. Click on When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Read the lyrics, listen to the audio, and click on the verse reference. Copy down the Bible verse and the first stanza (four lines) of the hymn. Who is the lyricist (the man who wrote the words)? About how many centuries ago were the words written?
3. Michelangelo sculpted the Pietà during the Renaissance era. ("Renaissance" is a French word which means rebirth.) Look at the sculpture carefully, and then write two sentences describing it. Then write another sentence telling who made it (including his last name), when it was created and where it is now. Then go to http://www.dictionary.com/ to find out what “pietà” means, and write the definition. What would it have been like to be Mary, holding Jesus' body after it was removed from the cross?
   
4. Read Luke 23:26-56 and let it sink in. Imagine what it would have been like for you to be right there. Write several sentences as if you were making an entry in your journal the next day. You will continue this tomorrow in the assignment about the resurrection.
5. Read the poem below and copy the first stanza.

"WHO OVERCAME EVIL BY GOOD"
by Mary Whitcomb Hess after a homily by Saint Amphilochius in the 4th Century

They stretch Him
On a Cross to die ---
Our Lord Who first
Stretched out the sky

Whose countenance
The cherubim
Dare not gaze on …
They spat on Him

And gave Him gall
To drink
Though He
Brings us wells
Of eternity.

He prays for them
“Father, forgive…”
For He was born
That all might live.

Round the sealed tomb
Of Him they’ve slain
They set a guard
In vain, in vain

Round Him
Creation can’t contain
Who dies for us
To rise again.

~*~*~

6. This tapestry below, "The Crucifixion" by Pieter Pannemaker, is found in the National Gallery of Art. You can click on it to enlarge it. How can you use your creative skills -- in visual arts, music, writing, or public speaking -- to communicate the message of Christ?

Easter Assignment: The Resurrection

Theme: The Resurrection




"The Resurrection of Christ" was painted by Russian Orthodox artist Mikhail Nesterov at end of the 1890's.








Study Guide Assignments

1. Read the story of the resurrection and the ascension in Matthew 28 and Luke 24. Copy at least one verse from each passage.
2. Continue the journal entry you started yesterday, writing as if you were there when these things happened.
3. Listen to Christ the Lord is Risen Today! by Charles Wesley. What word appears at the end of each line, and what is an alternate spelling for this word?
4. Read a blog post by Julia Knowles on her 3 month mission trip to Bolivia: *Behold, I am making all things new* :) Revelation 21 At the bottom, she talks about heaven. What famous preacher did she quote and when did he preach his sermon, "No Tears in Heaven"?
5. Look at the painting, "Le Jour des Morts" (The Day of Death) by William Beaugereau in 1859. According to 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, what hope do we have because of the resurrection of Christ?
6.