MIDNIGHT MASS IN BLUE RIVER

Acrylic on archival quality masonite

I painted this for friends who lived for about ten years in Blue River, B.C. Their hearts are deeply implanted there as they were married and had four of their six children, while living in this most magnifficent mountain community.

The great swath of northern lights reflects the immensity and glory of God. And yet if we peer closely into the tiny church we see the extent to which God humbled himself in order to be close to us, to strengthen and sanctify us by giving us His very self, 

the Bread of Life. As the priest raises the Host at the Consecration, the people adore their Lord. They walk by faith and not by sight. 

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” 

The innocent children at the crèche joyfully gaze upon the holy family and Mary places Jesus in young John O’Brien’s arms. 

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

The child Jesus who came into the world on that holy night, is the very same Jesus who we gaze upon in our Eucharistic Lord. The myriad of stars reflect the cemetery of the Holy Innocents. These myriads of souls who have been forced to return to their Father’s house too soon, because there was, once again, no room in the hearts of men for their children. Each cross - each precious soul - has a name in God’s heart. What a wound! What a wound! Like Christ, they share in His rejection 

and martyrdom. No room! No room!.

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