This is the final painting in our collection and the last post in a series that begins here.  .  It graces the window of the room of the former abortion clinic in which women sadly waited to enter one of the three “procedure” rooms.  It is a room hallowed by much mourning and a room dedicated to Mary’s care by more than twenty years of prayer vigils just beside it, in the corner of the small public park adjacent to the ArchAngel Institute.  The Institute thanks and honors those who stood in silent vigil for two decades outside this former clinic.

Today we mark Epiphany, the visit of the Magi to the Christ child.  They brought him four gifts, the final gift being the most crucial.

The first three are well considered: Gold, frankincense and myrrh.

They are gifts given royalty, and were, in fact homage to the King of kings from an empire that was not Roman or Greek at root. 

The fourth gift was the gift of civil disobedience.  

Click here to read more on that subject . . . and get the artist information. (more…)

This is the third  of three paintings celebrating the most crucial moment in Earth’s history.  This series on our illuminated, sacred art collection begins here. 

Have we spent too much time and too many windows on the annunciation?  It is the on of the most depicted scene in the history of art.  Why is that?

Because the moment that The Eternal God became man — the Incarnation — is the moment that all in this fallen world was changed forever. 

The Apostle John made this “enfleshment” the acid test between the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Antichrist:”By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Anti-christ, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world.”  I John 4:2,3

What if all Christians adopted this simple test to determine good from evil?  Could we, perhaps, find Christendom in the process of rebirth if we only followed the Apostle’s directions on who we looked to for authority?  (Would indeed be bad for modern governments, Hollywood, the secular Universities, man’s law and many other present cultural institutions.)

How does Martin Luther fare under this test?  Read on to find out, followed by artist information on this final annunciation painting.

Martin Luther from The Martin Luther Christmas Book, by Roland H. Bainton (Philadelphia: Muhlenberg, 1948)

On the Annunciation

To this poor maiden marvelous things were announced : that she should be the mother of the All Highest, whose name should be the Son of God. He would be a King and of his Kingdom there would be no end. It took a reach of faith to believe that this baby would play such a role. Well might Mary have said, “Who am I, little worm, that I should bear a King?” She might have doubted, but she shut her eyes and trusted in God who could bring all things to pass, even though common sense were, against it; and because she believed, God did to her as he had said:; She was indeed troubled at first and inquired, “How can these things be, seeing that I know not a man?” She was flesh and blood, and, for that reason the angel reassured her, saying, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you, and therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.”

We must both read and meditate upon the Nativity. If the meditation does not reach the heart, we shall sense no sweetness, nor shall we know what solace for humankind lies in this contemplation. The heart will not laugh nor be merry. As spray does not touch the deep, so mere meditation will not quiet the heart. ‘There is such richness and goodness in this Nativity that if we should see and deeply understand, we should be dissolved in perpetual joy. Wherefore Saint Bernard declared there are here three miracles: that God and man should be joined in this Child; that a mother should remain a virgin; that Mary should have such faith as to believe that this mystery would be accomplished in her. The last is not the least of the three. The Virgin birth is a mere trifle for God; that God should become man is a greater miracle; but most amazing of all is it that this maiden should credit the announcement that she, rather than some other virgin, had been chosen to be the mother of God. She did indeed inquire of the angel, “How can these things be?”-and he answered, “Mary, you have asked too high a question for me, but the Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you and you will not know yourself how it happens.” Had she not believed, she could not have conceived. She held fast to the word of the angel because she had become a new creature. Even so must we be transformed and renewed in heart from day to day. Otherwise Christ is born in vain. This is the word of the prophet: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” (Isa. 9:6). This is for us the hardest point, not so much to believe that He is the son of the Virgin and God himself, as to believe that this Son of God is ours: That is where we wilt, but he who does feel it has become another man. Truly it is marvelous in our eyes that God should place a little child in the lap of a virgin and that all our blessedness should lie in him. And this Child belongs to all mankind. God feeds the whole world through a Babe nursing at Mary’s breast. This must be our daily exercise : to be transformed into Christ, being nourished by this food. Then will the heart be suffused with all joy and will be strong and confident against every assault.

 On the Nativity

Let us, then, meditate upon the Nativity just as we see it happening in our own babies. I would not have you contemplate the deity of Christ, the majesty of Christ, but rather his flesh. Look upon the Baby Jesus. Divinity may terrify man. Inexpressible majesty will crush him. That is why Christ took on our humanity, save for sin, that he should not terrify us but rather that with love and favor he should console and confirm.

Behold Christ lying in the lap of his young mother, still a virgin. What can be sweeter than the Babe, what more lovely than the mother! What fairer than her youth! What more gracious than her virginity! Look at the Child, knowing nothing. Yet all that is belongs to him, that your conscience should not fear but take comfort in him. Doubt nothing. Watch him springing in the lap of the maiden. Laugh with him. Look upon this Lord of Peace and your spirit will be at peace. See how God invites you in many ways. He places before you a Babe with whom you may take refuge.You cannot fear him, for nothing is more appealing to man than a babe. Are you affrighted? Then come to him, lying in the lap of the fairest and sweetest maid. You will see how great is the divine goodness, which seeks above all else that you should not despair. Trust him! Trust him! Here is the Child in whom is salvation. To me there is no grater consolation given to mankind than this, that Christ became man, a child, a babe, playing in the lap and at the breasts of his most gracious mother. Who is there whom this sight would not comfort? Now is overcome the power of sin, death, hell, conscience, and guilt, if you come to this gurgling Babe and believe that he is come, not to judge you, but to save.

ARTIST:  PIETRO PERUGINO

This Annunciation was considered Perugino’s most masterful work.  He painted it around 1500, and was a contemporary of Raphael and Michelangelo.  “Gradually Perugino rose into notice, and became famous not only throughout Italy but even beyond. He was one of the earliest Italian painters to practise oil-painting, in which he evinced a depth and smoothness of tint, which elicited much remark.”

This is the second of three paintings celebrating the most crucial moment in Earth’s history.  This series on our illuminated, sacred art collection begins here.  The “why” for our collection is here.

Skepticism is widespread in our social order.  Even in the church.  Many “professional” church teachers play the doubter with miracles of the Old Testament.  A government-mandated and government-chosen psychiatrist (who considers herself a Christian) informed me that I was, in essence,  naive to believe that John the Baptist jumped in Elizabeth’s womb in response to the presence of the divine fetus. 

Skepticism rules among the elite, even the Christian “elite”  (the above referenced psychiatrist has an advanced degree in theology from a liberal Protestant seminary)  yet all Christians are supposed to affirm the humanly impossible — that the Eternal Father caused Jesus to be created in the Virgin’s womb without the aid of an earthly male.  This great miracle is celebrated at the former abortion clinic in a fitting tribute to the Gospel of Life.  It was impossible.  But with God, all things are possible.

Here is the text that we celebrate with our three annunciations windows, followed by the artist information on this window. (more…)

We continue our theme that started with the illuminated display of great and classical Christian art in the windows of the former abortion clinic at 827 Webster Street on December 8, 2009. Click here to come up to speed and then page forward.

The most recent painting in our collection is displayed right next to the oldest.  This de Goya was painted in 1785.  It is the first of three annunciations in a row in the three lower (NT) middle windows of the former abortion clinic.

Why?  Because the Incarnation is the central theme of our Christian Faith.  It sets us apart from all other dogmas.  Jews, Moslems, Buddhists, Hindus, Wicca, Marxists, Secularists — they all reject the Incarnation.  We affirm it as the central tenet of our Faith. Jesus is different than all other men ever created, for He was created in Mary’s womb at the command of the Eternal Father, without the aid of a Son of Adam.

Here is more theology on this very important subject — from our soon to be installed Bishop Kevin Rhoades’ Respect Life office (authored by Dr. Paul Schenck).  And more on de Goya and this painting.

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This post continues the “sacred windows” project at the ArchAngel Institute.  We now leave the Old Testament to begin our trip into the New Testament.   

 The first window on the upper (OT) level is Adam and Eve driven from paradise.  From their loins arose Able, Cain and Seth.  The first died as a direct result of sin, the second allowed himself to be taken over by the evil one through sin, and the third was  a child of promise, the promise that the Creator would one day from us all from the ravishes of sin.   
The first window on the lower (New Testament) level likewise pictures a couple.  It celebrates marriage according to God’s design – which must be between a man and a woman.  (That went without being said in the West for 2000 years, but no longer).  
The marriage celebrated in the above window is the marriage of Jesus’ grandparents.   It celebrates Church teaching that is ancient yet as up-to-date as tomorrow’s science.  (more…)

We have reviewed the four Old Testament windows at the ArchAngel Institute.

To recap, they present THE FALL, THE PROMISE, THE LAW and PROPHECY.

The Fall is the very bad news that creation is not as its Creator willed it to be.  Human choice rejected the Creator’s best.  Eve was deceived, Adam chose to follow her into rebellion against Heaven rather than turn to Heaven and redeem his Bride.

The Promise is that the Creator did not walk away from Earth, but instead began His Plan to redeem Eve and all of her children.  That plan was first witnessed in the animal skins that covered the original nakedness.  It was best revealed in the OT in Isaac on Mount Moriah.

The Law reveals to us our sin.  We all fall short, we all need to be ransomed.  Be it blasphemy, adultery, failure to follow known Revelation, abortion, whatever …. the Law shows us that we need to be rescued, we need a sacrifice.

The Prophecy was the Creator revealing His plan in the OT so that all could recognize the Son of Mary as the Lamb of God.  Any cursory study of the dating of the OT, the dating of the NT and the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus can bring even the most hardened skeptic to Faith.

Do you want that? It can be yours for the asking.

The downstairs window have emblazoned across them these lyrics, which capture the spirit of the age in the centuries before the birth of the Saviour:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Here are more lyrics set to music.

Click here to study this song and appreciate its beauty as sung by Enya (in Latin).

And if you want the gift of Faith, just look up and ask for it.  Your Creator loves you and wants to rescue you.  Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.  Email us if we can answer any questions that you might have:  archangelinstitute@gmail.org.  Call our 800 line for post abortion healing or other spiritual counsel:  800 399-4620.

This last upstairs  window is also our last Old Testament window.  It is undoubtedly one of the best known of the classic art works adorning the windows.  Click here for more on this 500 year old painting by the great Raphael. The word “PROPHECY” is found beneath this art, because …

And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:6-10)

Consider the following from http://www.catholicbible101.com/otpropheciesofjesus.htm

Jesus Prophecies in the Old Testament

One of the ways that we know that the Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit is the way that it predicts the future, known as prophecy.  There are many, many prophecies in the Bible, and some pertain to the Messiah, or anointed one, who is to come and save Israel and the world from the devil and the sin of Adam and Eve.  Below are just a few of the obvious prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus.  The fact that all of these prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus is proof positive that Jesus was the Messiah.  The odds against any one man randomly fulfilling all of these prophecies is a million to one!

For more on this very important subject  …

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It seems fitting to have this famous Rembrandt illuminated on the south wall of the former abortion clinic.  How sad that 827 Webster Street received approximately 24,000 such offerings for 28 tragic years.

This post continues the series on the illuminated windows of the ArchAngel Institute that began here.

This painting has “PROMISE” written below it at the Institute, for YHWH promised that He Himself would provide the sacrifice on this very mountain.  About 2000 years later Jesus, like Isaac, carried wood up this same mountain.  Jesus, like Isaac, was then bound to the wood.  God the Father, unlike Abraham, carried through with the sacrifice, and Jesus, unlike Isaac, died on Calvary Mount.

Here is more theology from http://www.rationalchristianity.net/abe_isaac.html

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This painting is the first one on display on the Institute’s south wall, which overlooks a city park and is quite visible from the downtown library.  It has, in bold letters, “FALL” printed beneath it.

Orthodox Christian thought is identified, in part, by a fiercely loyal adherence to the teaching that Adam and Eve truly lived and truly “fell” from a state of original grace.  If you want to flush out a liberal, merely ask them if they believe either of these two tenets of the Faith.  Liberals never do, and usually scoff at the mere suggestion of either.

Pope John Paul II framed out his Theology of the Body in the year after Susan Hill began turning little babies created in the Image of the Living God into so much garbage (for others) and gold (for her and her handlers) at 827 Webster Street.

It is no secret that the Roman Catholic Church affirms the historic Fall as foundational to understanding all that follows on this broken planet.  Here is an excerpt from John Paul II’s May 14, 1980 General Audience entitled  ”The Real Significance of Original Nakedness” addressing this subject: (more…)

Here is George Klopfer and Susan Hills’ former abortion clinic proclaiming the Gospel of Life to the Glory of God this December 25.

It will stay lit like this into the indeterminate future.

Sorry about the fuzziness, will have to ask Mike Kline to get some shots.

If you drive by the Institute anytime after 5:45 until midnight, or 5:45 am until 8 am, you can see our art project firsthand.  It is sacred art for the good of the social order.  Click here for our justification in saying that.

Last year we studied the 12 days of Christmas.  Click here for the post beginning that study.

This year we will study the Institute’s ten windows of Christmas.  We will thus take a break from the Brown v. Bowman case until after Epiphany.  If you are interested in that case click here.  If you seek the federal pleadings click here.

Here is the first painting of the ten windows we study — it is in the lower right, the window near the white exit door:

Title:  The Madonna and Child

by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

Italian painter
born 1609- died 1685