Nature's Sketchbook ornaments
by Majolein Bastin
For several years, Hallmark produced ornaments by Marjolein Bastin in a counted series. For the past few years, however, Hallmark has changed to simply producing a yearly ornament by this world-renowned nature artist, so they are no longer in a counted series. They appear on this page is order of years, beginning with 2009.
Marjolein Bastin
As an artist, Marjolein Bastin is well worth studying. Her work is delicate, highly detailed, gently inviting and always inspiring. She draws her inspiration from nature itself, especially drawing from her homeland in the Netherlands, and vacation homes in Missouri and the Cayman Islands. Her work, like the language of nature itself, the primal language of creation, God's first revealed communication with men and women, is charged with meaning. It takes on three types of forms, as stated on her website: detailed and exact snapshots of nature (close-ups of what she sees around her); those detailed snapshots that also include Marjolein's personal written observations on nature; and finally, works that show the beauty of nature as touched by human hands, including cut flowers, potted plants, and birdhouses built with pencils. For more information about this talented artist, goto www.marjoleinbastin.com
Marjolein Bastin
As an artist, Marjolein Bastin is well worth studying. Her work is delicate, highly detailed, gently inviting and always inspiring. She draws her inspiration from nature itself, especially drawing from her homeland in the Netherlands, and vacation homes in Missouri and the Cayman Islands. Her work, like the language of nature itself, the primal language of creation, God's first revealed communication with men and women, is charged with meaning. It takes on three types of forms, as stated on her website: detailed and exact snapshots of nature (close-ups of what she sees around her); those detailed snapshots that also include Marjolein's personal written observations on nature; and finally, works that show the beauty of nature as touched by human hands, including cut flowers, potted plants, and birdhouses built with pencils. For more information about this talented artist, goto www.marjoleinbastin.com
Winter's Wonders 2009 ornament
"Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me."
Revelation 3:20
This ornament speaks about being ready to receive the opportunities of grace. The cardinal is perched on the gate, looking around him, as though waiting for our response. But we often hear we should be ready, do we ever hear why? What is implied is an encounter with Jesus, who will come in and dwell at our table, in the sharing of a meal. But what does that mean? Why is that important?
It's only important if we imagine what lies behind the gate. The gate in this ornament will not be easy to open. Snow is piled in front of it, as well as some stacked, fallen pots, left over from earlier attempts at gradening. Has the holly in the other pot already rooted to the ground? Some work must be done here to open the gate, and we'll only do it if we believe that what lies behind the gate, as well as who will enter through the gate, is important enough for us to go outside, outside of our comfort, and do some work.
When Jesus says he will enter and eat, he is referring to the reign of God, a reign of mercy and justice, peace and abundance, where the lion lies down with the lamb. What lies behind the gate is not just a place but a person, a state, a way of being. Being with this person is what enables the perfection of the place. Heaven, the fulfilment of our deepest desires is not just a created place, it's a person, Jesus Christ.
So, in order to open the door, to share in the meal where we receive Christ and become like him, the meal we call Eucharist, requires a willingness to move. In this case, it means trudging through the metaphorical snow, the cold, and shoveling away the snow, the coldness and distance in our hearts. It means clearing away the old pots, those failed efforts from our past that block the door, and picking up the holly and berries, picking up our own cross. It means tugging on the handle of the gate until it at last swings wide. Why? Because the cardinal is perched on the gate. The Holy Spirit is inviting, insisting, awaiting our response. Listen! Which side of the gate are you on, and what do you imagine lies behind it?
Revelation 3:20
This ornament speaks about being ready to receive the opportunities of grace. The cardinal is perched on the gate, looking around him, as though waiting for our response. But we often hear we should be ready, do we ever hear why? What is implied is an encounter with Jesus, who will come in and dwell at our table, in the sharing of a meal. But what does that mean? Why is that important?
It's only important if we imagine what lies behind the gate. The gate in this ornament will not be easy to open. Snow is piled in front of it, as well as some stacked, fallen pots, left over from earlier attempts at gradening. Has the holly in the other pot already rooted to the ground? Some work must be done here to open the gate, and we'll only do it if we believe that what lies behind the gate, as well as who will enter through the gate, is important enough for us to go outside, outside of our comfort, and do some work.
When Jesus says he will enter and eat, he is referring to the reign of God, a reign of mercy and justice, peace and abundance, where the lion lies down with the lamb. What lies behind the gate is not just a place but a person, a state, a way of being. Being with this person is what enables the perfection of the place. Heaven, the fulfilment of our deepest desires is not just a created place, it's a person, Jesus Christ.
So, in order to open the door, to share in the meal where we receive Christ and become like him, the meal we call Eucharist, requires a willingness to move. In this case, it means trudging through the metaphorical snow, the cold, and shoveling away the snow, the coldness and distance in our hearts. It means clearing away the old pots, those failed efforts from our past that block the door, and picking up the holly and berries, picking up our own cross. It means tugging on the handle of the gate until it at last swings wide. Why? Because the cardinal is perched on the gate. The Holy Spirit is inviting, insisting, awaiting our response. Listen! Which side of the gate are you on, and what do you imagine lies behind it?
