Beloved Son

Click the drawing above to download a high-resolution (6215x3883) version.

When I was in graduate school at the University of Utah, I had an idea for a Christmas-themed drawing of Joseph holding baby Jesus while Mary takes a nap next to him. I knew I wanted to draw it and submit it to the 8th International Church Art Competition. But I was too busy as a grad student, so I let it pass by. Three years later, the contest happened again, but as a new professor, I again felt I was too busy. Finally, in 2014, I resolved to make time to draw it and submit it in time for the 10th contest. So I did. Below is the artistic statement I wrote for the submission.

When we hear the phrase Beloved Son we naturally think of the sacred relationship between God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. In this drawing, I examine other beloved relationships within the holy family, with a special focus on Joseph.

While deferential to Jesus' divine Sonship, Joseph nonetheless embraced the Savior as his own beloved son. Similarly, Baby Jesus looked to Joseph has His caregiver and beloved earthly father.
Joseph was beloved of his wife Mary. Surely she leaned on him spiritually and emotionally as her equal partner in nurturing the newborn Messiah.
Finally, how beloved of God Joseph himself must have been, to be chosen as the father-figure for God's Only Begotten Son!

I drew this illustration with pen and paper, then scanned it and edited it in GIMP. My wife did the lion's share of coloring and editing. It was a fun project for us to work on together. Alas, it did not win the contest, so rather than let it wallow indefinitely on my computer's hard drive, I decided to post it on my website. Feel free to download/share it without restriction.

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