The Angel Appears to Zechariah / Birth of John the Baptist - December 10

“Christian iconography expresses in images the same Gospel message that Scripture communicates by words. Image and word illuminate each other.” (CCC 1160)

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The Angel Appears to Zechariah - Domenico Ghirlandaio (1448 - 1494) 

This early renaissance fresco of The Angel Appears to Zechariah by Domenico Ghirlandaio c. 1486 depicts the scene from the Gospel of Luke chapter 1 verses 5 through 23. There is a lot going on in this scene. The Angel Gabriel stands to the left (not right as in the Gospel) of the altar and addresses Zechariah.  Gabriel and Zechariah are in the sanctuary of the Temple, the people gathered in the foreground, though appear to be in the sanctuary are outside the sanctuary as signified by the archway to the right of the fresco.  This fresco may be found on the wall of the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Italy. 

 

Luke 1: 5 - 23

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth.  Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.  But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.  Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense.

Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.  But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John.  And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.  He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.  He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.  He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.

Then Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this?  For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”  And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God.  I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.  But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” 

Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.  But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.  He was gesturing to them but remained mute.  Then when his days of ministry were completed, he went home. 

Birth of John the Baptist - Jacopo Potormo (1494 - 1597) 

Painter and portrait artist Jacopo Portormo created this oil on wood of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist around 1526.  It portrays the Gospel account of Luke chapter 1 verses 57 to 66.  Here we find  parents St. Elizabeth and St. Zechariah, who appear advanced in age, surrounded by their neighbors on the day of their sons circumcision.  The neighbors assume that the name given to the child will be Zechariah after his father.  Zechariah who has been mute since he doubted the words of the Angel Gabriel asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name."  

Luke 1 :57 - 66

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son.  Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.  When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No.  He will be called John.”  But they answered her “there is no one among your relatives who has this name.”  So they made signs asking his father what he wished him to be called.  He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name, “and all were amazed.  Immediately his mouth opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God.  Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and all these matters were discussed through the hill country of Judea.  All who heard these things took then to heart, saying, “What, then, will this child be?”  For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.

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Picture Source - Public Domain
The Role of Religious Art in Faith Formation - Month of December 2019 Index

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