LOOK: Relief sculpture of the magi, Amiens Cathedral
In this sculpture, the Old Testament prophet Balaam pronounces his oracle that “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17). The anonymous artist shows the magi, who studied celestial events, noticing the prophesied star centuries later and preparing to follow it.
To view a wider shot that includes all the adjacent bas-reliefs, see here.
(Related post: https://artandtheology.org/2023/12/15/advent-day-13-a-star-shall-rise-out-of-jacob/)
LISTEN: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” | Words by Jane Taylor, 1806 | Anonymous French pastoral tune, 1761 | Arranged and performed by God’s Children, 2023
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are
Art & Theology 