This relic, drawn when I was 5, was unearthed recently in an old scrapbook. I'm not sure little Cassandra showed too much artistic promise at that age, but she did have some quirky ways of looking at things. Animals seem to have figured heavily in her cosmology. I like the startled shepherd at far left, with his pet sheep, and the miniature camel (see the hump with fancy saddle?) at far right. I recognize bluebirds in the rafters, but what is that behind the crib -- a giant fox? A squirrel? It's probably meant to be a donkey. Whatever!
Looking closer, I think this picture shows the influence of Amahl and the Night Visitors, which was first televised around that time: the predominance of the three kings and their gifts, and the star in the sky. I loved Amahl, and sang all the songs, often hobbling around the house with a cane and bursting in on my parents to exclaim "I can walk! I can walk!" In fact, I wonder if that small white figure inside the manger, next to the tall king, is Amahl himself.
Now, more than half a century later, I'm still heading out for midnight mass in a few hours. Montreal is beautifully white with fresh snow, and lot of Christmas lights everywhere. May the peace of this night find its way into all of our hearts, and may you too find what you are searching for.
Wonderful, Beth! Merry Christmas to you and J. They're predicting a dusting of white here by morning.
Posted by: leslee | December 24, 2012 at 05:51 PM
It is charming, Beth. Reminds of something a dear friend sent me, a Christmas pageant told by children from St Paul's Church in New Zealand. https://www.youtube.com/embed/kWq60oyrHVQ?rel=0 I love the shepherds and star!
Joyous Christmas to you and J. I envy your snow.
Posted by: Marja-Leena | December 24, 2012 at 06:26 PM
Thanks, Leslee! Merry Christmas, and I hope you do get some snow - just enough to be pretty!
Joyous Christmas to you and Fred, too, Marja-Leena! I just realized that the ribbon-like thing below the star is its "tail!"
Posted by: Beth | December 24, 2012 at 08:01 PM
And then there are these: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2012/dec/24/nativity-scenes-renaissance-art-christmas
Posted by: Beth | December 24, 2012 at 08:28 PM
A very happy holiday to you!
Posted by: Hattie | December 24, 2012 at 09:07 PM
I love that - "I can walk! I can walk!" Thank you for reminding me of Amahl; my favourite part was the Visitor who sang, "This is my box, this is my box, I never travel without my box." I wanted a box just like his. Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Nancy | December 24, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Merry Christmas Beth
Posted by: Mouse | December 25, 2012 at 06:42 AM
ha!...I'd say it shows a lot of artistic promise! So much detail!
Posted by: mike | December 26, 2012 at 08:08 AM
I love the drawing! Although I'm a bit worried that the big fox behind the crib is licking his chops as he looks at the infant Jesus ....
Posted by: jo(e) | December 26, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Happy Christmas, Beth! And thanks for your really interesting blog over the year.
Posted by: Vivien | December 27, 2012 at 06:25 AM