THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE CHRIST
OIL on Canvas 2005
24" x 36", Unframed
"This painting represents how humankind has turned God’s gift of salvation through the birth of His son Jesus, into a commercial enterprise. The story of Christmas is a story of giftgiving, but it is giftgiving in a spiritual sense, not a material one. It is also a promise of everlasting life through faith.
Although many still celebrate the spirit and joy of Christmas with loved ones, it has mostly become a commercial holiday for advertisers and retailers who find this time of the year the most profitable. Adding further to the misinterpretation of Christmas is most Christmas cards are printed with the message of “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” without any reference to the reason or origin of Christmas. This is done so as not to offend other religions or cultures, even though God gave His son to the whole world not only to a select few (John 3:16).
I painted a traditional pose of the Madonna and Child. However, the Christ child is reluctantly wearing a Santa hat to represent the commercialization and fantasy of Christmas today. Jesus is holding a whip to symbolize how he chased the moneychangers and retailers who were selling goods out of the temple courts with a whip (John 2:14-16). Jesus words still hold true today, “How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market”.
