What if an image could draw you into God’s tenderness? Explore Marianne Stokes’ Madonna and Child with guided contemplative prayer. Includes a rich conversation with art historian Dr. Courtney Tomaselli on the history, symbolism, and devotional power of Mary and Jesus.

Readings from: Hymns X1 and XV of Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh

Marianne Stokes’ Madonna and Child invites us into a long and tender tradition of Christian devotion—one that has shaped the prayers, hopes, and imaginations of believers for centuries. In this week’s episode, art historian Dr. Courtney Tomaselli helps us understand why images of Mary and Jesus have been so spiritually central across Christian history. As she explains, the Madonna and Child holds a unique place because Mary, the Theotokos—the God-bearer—stands at the threshold of the incarnation. In her, humanity and divinity meet in a profoundly intimate way. Unlike Christ, whose nature is both divine and human, Mary’s humanity is familiar, relatable, and deeply grounding. Through her, many have found a compassionate intercessor, a spiritual mother, and a comforting presence in times of need.

Stokes’ interpretation builds on this tradition while adding her own layers of symbolism and artistic depth. The luminous ultramarine background echoes the long legacy of using precious pigments to honor Mary, turning the very color itself into an act of devotion. The thorny motifs behind her reference Christ’s coming passion, while the linen swaddling hints at the shroud—reminding us that the Nativity cannot be separated from the whole arc of redemption. Gold threads shimmer like an icon, evoking candlelit sanctuaries where believers have encountered the holy for generations. Even the botanical details—possibly Queen Anne’s lace or wild parsley—carry associations of protection, renewal, danger, and hope, all interwoven like the story of Christ’s life.

What stands out beautifully in this painting is Mary’s gesture. She does not simply cradle Jesus, nor does she present Him in the formal, solemn manner of many traditional icons. Instead, she gently lifts the translucent veil, revealing Him to us. As Dr. Tomaselli suggests, it is as though she is sharing Christ rather than presenting Him—a subtle but profound difference. During Advent, when the Church waits in hope for Christ’s coming, this act of unveiling becomes a visual prayer in itself: Here is the One for whom we have waited; here is the Light entering the world.

To deepen our contemplation, we turn to the words of Ephrem the Syrian, the fourth-century poet whose hymns capture the mystery of God choosing to dwell among us in such humble, vulnerable ways. His imagery—the infinite contained within Mary’s embrace, the Creator sustained by the milk of a mother, the Word held in human arms—echoes the paradox Stokes paints with such tenderness. As we gaze, pray, and listen, the painting becomes more than an artwork; it becomes a meeting place with God.

This episode invites you to slow your breath, open your heart, and let this image draw you toward the Holy. Through Mary’s gentle unveiling, through the hymns of Ephrem, and through the pauses of contemplative prayer, may you sense the Divine drawing near. And may this time renew your awareness that Christ comes not only into the world, but directly into your life—shared freely, lovingly, and for all.