'At the Heart of the Star'

Student Reflection

I chose the scripture ‘The Birth of Jesus and Visit of the Magi’ (Matthew 1:18-25, 2: 9-12). It was a time of prayer and thanksgiving to God for the safe arrival of the baby Jesus, which is why all of their eyes are closed and Mary’s hands are joined. The scene captures a moment of prayer, stillness, and silence — a time filled with awe and wonder in the presence of this child. I used graphite pencils as they added to the motionless tranquility of the moment.

The star and the Christ child are the central features of the artwork. Baby Jesus is shown with his arms open, welcoming all people with love. I placed a small heart under the crib to symbolise that his birth is a gift of love for the whole world. The star is the guiding force that leads the Magi and the shepherds to Baby Jesus, reminding us that God’s light always shows the way.

Graphite pencils were used rather than colour so that I could shade effectively. The only colour used was gold in the star and around the baby to emphasise their significance to the story.