1911, MOMA (NY), 1.1m x 1.45m, oil on canvas
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 16:24
In Church Dogmatics I, Karl Barth refers to the trinitarian framework as ‘joyful’ and goes on to brand theology a ‘joyful science’.
As we near the culmination of advent, we feel the anticipation of this joy building. This year has been bad for many, but however bad, however dark, life gets, we still feel a deep longing in the build up to the celebration of the birth of Christ.
‘The Laugh’ by the Italian futurist, Umberto Boccioni, is not a religious painting in its open sense, rather it shows a secular scene representative of the time of a lady enjoying life at a funfair. However, at a base level the scene represents perfectly the joy we feel at Christmas. The expression on the lady’s jocular face is surrounded by bright colours bursting from the chaotic, fragmented earth hues at the bottom corners of the painting. Multiple beams of light shine down illuminating further the contrast of joy against misery, light against dark. For we know that light will always overcome darkness. It is this certain knowledge that enables theologians to study the ‘joyful science’, and all throughout Christendom to put our worries and troubles behind us and allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by joy at the birth of our Saviour.
Dear Father,
The hopes and dreams of all the world, in whatever age, are met in the Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this confusing world, may You bring clarity.
In this fractured world, may You bring unity.
Where there is despair, may You provide hope.
Where there is conflict, may You provide peace.
Where there is hate, may You provide love.
Where there is misery, may You provide joy.
Amen.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Psalm 98:4-6
Gwyn Davies