God Is With Us

Born to wealthy parents in Paris in 1848, Henri Lerolle became a painter who frequently turned his attention to Biblical subjects. Many consider his most celebrated painting to be “The Arrival of the Shepherds.”

Here, there were no ornate figures, like many classic paintings. As was typical of his style, Lerolle captured the scene described in Luke’s Gospel in a natural way. The setting is a dark cave with huge beams providing the frame. Mary sits on straw, holding baby Jesus as Joseph looks on.

Our focus is drawn to the shepherds. They were simple men dressed in plain wardrobes. Their faces were only lit by light from a distant opening, and we sense curiosity, reverence, and wonder. Lerolle depicted both the humanity and divinity of this mysterious moment. Into this scene of utter humility, the light had come, for Jesus is “the Light of the world” (John 8:12).

This painting gives us Lerolle’s interpretation of this scene. But each of us has the opportunity to reflect on this moment from our own perspective. How would we have reacted to the sight of the heavenly hosts praising God? What would it have been like to enter that stable for ourselves and see the baby Jesus? Would we have realized that God Himself was visiting His people?

Today, we can celebrate! God is with us. Jesus has come! He was born, lived, died, and rose again. He is our Savior.