December 27th, 2008 by Kathleen
I thought this African-American Angel was perfect to introduce Kwanzaa, which began on December 26 and lasts until January 1. Though mainly celebrated in the United States, Kwanzaa is celebrated in other countries, too.
Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Ron Maulana Karenga, Professor of Africana Studies, California State University–Long Beach. It was first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967.
Kwanzaa celebrates African heritage and teaches principles of honoring the community and helping others. The seven days of celebration include activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations. They end with a feast and gift-giving.
Good Morning Lord Art Print
Varner Ll, Ernest…
30 in. x 25 in.
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Kwanzaa celebrates the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, which Professor Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy” consisting of “the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world.”
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are called Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles. Each day a candle is lighted and a libation poured in honor of the principle to which that day is dedicated:
- Dec. 26—Umoja (Unity) To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
- Dec. 27—Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
- Dec. 28—Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.
- Dec. 29—Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
- Dec. 30—Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
- Dec. 31—Kuumba (Creativity) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
- Jan. 1—Imani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
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December 25th, 2008 by Kathleen
You might say that these are the true Christmas angels, not the one on the top of the Christmas tree. These little cherubs are a detail from the classic painting, Adoration of the Shepherds, by Nicolas Poussin.
Angels descending, bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
—Fanny J. Crosby
Adoration of the Sheperds Art Print
Poussin, Nicolas
22 in. x 16 in.
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December 21st, 2008 by Kathleen
Angels help lift us up, but we need to also have high aspirations. Advertising genius Leo J. Burnett used to tell his staff, “When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either.” I think he was onto something that applies to spiritual matters as well as daily life.
So, help your guardian angel lift you up—by reaching for the stars. If you do not believe that there is an angel in charge of looking out for you, what about the angels in charge of keeping the Universe running smoothly? Maybe they could use some help. Could it be that we lift them up when we show our faith, enthusiasm, and high ideals?
Far from being a New Age concept, the idea that there is an angel in charge of each and every thing is a very old one. We know it dates back at least to St. Augustine, who wrote:
Every visible thing in this world is put in the charge of an angel.
—St. Augustine
Reach for the Stars Art Print
Jane, Lisa
16 in. x 20 in.
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Angels to watch over each of us. I’d all that a major blessing. How about you?
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December 19th, 2008 by Kathleen
It is unusual to see modern angel paintings with dark wings, although dark wings were very common in the great angel art of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
I love the idea of an angel bringing night…and stars…and sleep…and rest…and dreams.
Also, somehow this painting reminds me of a quotation from Lord Byron.
The Angels were all singing out of tune,
And hoarse with having little else to do,
Excepting to wind up the sun and moon
Or curb a runaway young star or two.
—Lord Byron
Night with Her Train of Stars Art Print
Hughes, Edward…
32 in. x 24 in.
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December 8th, 2008 by Kathleen
There are many concepts of the guardian angel, but this image of children guarded by a lovely angel as they cross a rickety bridge over roaring rapids is a sentimental favorite. Many children and adults over the years have been comforted by this angelic vision. I hope you are, too.
How many times, do you suppose, do our guardian angels protect us, and we don’t even notice it?
The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone. —George Elliot
Heilige Schutzengel Art Print
11.8 in. x 15.74 in.
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