The Christmas Canvas, a gift for Pope Francis

CHRISTMAS! Up goes the twinkling tree and on go the glistening lights. It’s the season for gifts and candy canes; for fruit cakes and carols. But beyond the bows and mistletoe in a tiny Manger lies the true magic of Christmas; of God born as man! This magic of Christmas for long has enchanted artists who have employed their flair to narrate the timeless story from the Annunciation to the Presentation.

This Christmas, the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, Mumbai, brings to you the story of Christ’ birth through twelve brilliant masterpieces. The twelve write-ups that form the ‘Christmas Canvas’ were first written by Miss Joynel Fernandes, Asst. Director of the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, Mumbai in 2017, as a mini-series for a blog site (www.pottypadre.com).

The presentation of these classical paintings coincides with the twelve days of Christmas, narrating to us the story of faith as captured by some of the most amazing artists of all times. The book was warmly launched by H.E. Oswald Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay at Archbishops House, Colaba on December 3, 2018.

The Archbishop was joined by Fr. Warner D’Souza, Director of the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, the members of the Church Heritage Committee and several others. The ‘Christmas Canvas’ will serve as the Cardinal’s gift to friends and benefactors during the most joyful season of the year. His Eminence will also carry a copy of the book to Rome and will present it to the Holy Father, Pope Francis.

Through this little book, the museum hopes to once again stimulate interest and emotion for Christian art, guiding the reader to arrive at the mind and heart of the artists, witnessing their love for God as expressed through paint and brush. May the magical love of Christmas, as witnessed by the artist capture our hearts!

Copies of the book priced at Rs 100 will be available at the Archdiocesan Heritage Museum, Goregaon East.