This shall be the sign

Only two more sleeps until Christmas and I have to say I’ve been looking forward to today’s post since my visit to Avignon last month.

I’ve already referenced Medieval paintings I saw at a museum there in my post for Annunciation Sunday. Specifically I was taken by 14^th Century Sienese painter Bartolo di Fredi’s portrait of Mary as she took in the news that God was going to impregnate her.

But there was another of his works that kept drawing me back again and again: “Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds”.

I love this painting because of all the animals. I mean, you have your angels…fine. And the Holy Spirit descending.

But the animals, man—starting with the ox and ass behind Mary and Jesus.

And the “sheep”…or they might be goats. And I think that may be a chicken at the right of the kneeling shepherds. Not sure, but possibly.

But what completely fascinates me are the dogs. They have collars! This one in the foreground:

And this one back with the flock of whatever they are:

(Well, looking at this again, the dog with the flock may be the same dog in the foreground. Di Fredi may be painting a narrative, with the angels appearing to the shepherds in the background and then them arriving at the stable. Dunno.)

Did dogs have collars in First Century Judea? I’m guessing they did in 14^th Century Siena but—like the luxurious clothing for Mary—seems a little anachronistic for working dogs at the birth of Christ.

One of the first things we knew about the Russian invasion of Ukraine was how much Ukrainians love their animals. People fleeing the invaders left behind so much, but they took their pets with them, even walking for miles carrying them. We also saw countless photos of Ukrainian soldiers with their cat (and dog) mascots; I loved how the tabbies matched the military camouflage, although I hated the circumstances. Even so, hundreds—probably thousands—of beloved pets have been caught up in the devastation the Russians have wreaked. Neighbors who couldn’t or wouldn’t evacuate have done their best to look after the animals. As one soldier said about the connection between dog/cat and human, “Even in the midst of war, it’s possible to experience fleeting moments of grace.”

Today’s Advent piece is about the shepherds at Bethlehem. “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night” is sung as part of the service of Lessons and Carols at King’s College, Cambridge.

May all creatures—upright or on four paws—experience more than fleeting moments of grace.