O Lord, you search me...
Myra Vargas
Ecuador

This nativity representation comes from one of the most remote regions of our globe, the rain forests of the Amazon. Lifting the curtain of dense foliage, which hides a kaleidoscope of luxuriant color and primeval sounds, we discover in a sea of birds and beasts the main actors of the feast of life: a few – in appearance – clumsy and awkwardly heavy figures. But there is a pristine beauty in their raptured faces and painted limbs. Their burnished bodies are like rare jewels glowing in the dark green night of the jungle. One is reminded of Psalm 139: "If I say: Let the darkness hide me and the light around me be night, even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as clear as the day." And looking at the orchid-shaped eye of the Creator's loving presence, bits and pieces of this other canticle come to mind: "Seas and rivers ... all water creatures... all you birds of the air ... all you beasts wild and tame, bless the Lord. You sons of men, bless the Lord" (Daniel 3, 57f).