Arts & Faith: Advent

Enjoy video commentary about works of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures of Advent. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of preparation through the lens of sacred art.

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The video and prayer for the First Week of Advent, Cycle B, is based on Mark 13:33–37. The art is William Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World.

“Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn.”

—Mark 13:35

The video and prayer for the Third Week of Advent, Cycle B, is based on John 1:6–8, 19–28. The art is Saint John the Baptist Preaching by Anton Raphael Mengs.

 

“Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.”

—John 1:26–27

The video and prayer for the Second Week of Advent, Cycle B, is based on Mark 1:1–8. The art is Pieter Brueghel the Younger’s St. John the Baptist Preaching.

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”

 

—Mark 1:3

The video and prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent, Cycle B, are based on Luke 1:26–38. The art is John Collier’s The Annunciation.

“All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,’
which means, ‘God is with us.’”

—Matthew 1:22–23