This is the first time I have seen this painting of the Nativity, which does not seem to be widely
known. However, the sweetness of the faces of the Holy Family, the light with which the painter
has “caressed” these divine characters, and the soft colors he utilized are nothing short of a
prayer in images, without words. It seems that words are not needed so much so that I feel like
stopping my reflection here… The painting looks also very “contemporary” if you wish,
nevertheless it is from 1490. 2
I believe that could create a strong connection with the
contemporary viewer in search of religious feelings, emotions, or a worshiping attitude.
Today is the fifth day in the Octave of Christmas, a favorite liturgical time for many where the
soul and the heart seem to find rest even amidst the rush of Christmas time in our busy lives.
Christmas is a time to be in union with God, and Saint John will remind us that “this is the
way we may know that we are in union with him,” if we keep his word. It is the perfect way to
know that “the love of God is truly perfected in him.”
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
(see 1 Jn 2:3-11)
Christmas is a time to open our eyes to the light, to the sweetness of the love of Christ, Mary,
and Joseph, and to the softness of the colors, not of a painting, but of the real life of the spirit,
the colors which God has painted in our souls.
I hope this Christmas was a flood of sweetness, of light, and of color for the darkness in the
world, for the darkness of war! And I hope that those in darkness, who seem to remain
irrevocably blinded to the light of the love of God—the promoters of war—, could open their
eyes to this soft and warm Light who is Christ, Light of the world, as He defines himself.
May the love and tenderness of Christmas take us all closer to the Savior, to His Mother and to
saint Joseph.
God bless you all,
Fr. Marcelo Javier Navarro Muñoz, IVE
Author: The Contribution of Cornelio Fabro to Fundamental Theology. Reason and Faith:
htps://www.cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-5275-9315-2
Poesía Sacra, Quemar las Naves, and Desde Fossanova, IVE Press: https://ivepress.org/
2 “Lorenzo Costa was a Ferrarese painter who worked in Bologna before succeeding Mantegna as the principal
painter at the Gonzaga court at Mantua. He produced a number of ambitious altarpieces. He was also a gifted
portrait painter…”, from htps://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/lorenzo-costa, accessed December 20, 2023.
