Grace of God

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,
filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon
him. ~ Luke 2:40

This painting was planned as an image of Jesus
praying with a little boy and many people still see it
that way. However, as I prepared to paint it, I realized
there was much more... We were expecting our third
child, and I started thinking my role as a father and
about Joseph, the sacred calling and tremendous
responsibility he must have felt. What inspired and
sacred moments must have been shared as Joseph
did what he could to prepare the Lord in those tender
early years, and I wonder who may have learned
more... ~ Jay Bryant Ward

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