henry ossawa tanner: the annunciation (Tanner was one of the first African American artists to gain recognition for his work.)
a really cool girl that i don't know that well but met once at her art exhibit open house gave the lesson in a relief society yesterday and shared these beautiful pieces of art. i love that they portray Mary as very prepared to receive the news.
in addition to reading the Biblical account of Christ's birth, i love to think about how others learned of his birth.
And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me; Nephi, what beholdest thou?
And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fiar above all other virgins.
And he said unto me: Knowest thou the condescension of God?
And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.
And he said unto me: Behold the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.
And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.
And the angel said unto me: Behold, the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!
Yea...it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of men; wherefore it is the most desirable above all things.
