Seeing Shepherds is an impressionistic work by contemporary artist, Daniel Bonnell (1955). In this piece Bonnell shows us how he imagines Luke 2:13-14, the breaking in of a multitude of angels on a peaceful, familiar night for these keepers of the flock.

With complimentary colors in tints and shades, with light and darkness, this artist creates depth and movement and glory as the abstracted angels expand from right to left across the night sky. The angels are beyond clarity throughout this movement and call us to reimagine our own sky scene as the “angels see shepherds”. This work and its fascinating title invite us to open wide our assumptions of time and space and to pause in the shepherds’ surrender.

Bonnell is quoted as saying “eyes of humility see perfectly.” I believe this work is a call to that humility. He also said, “How we see anything is how we see everything.” During this season may we see the story of Jesus with humble eyes and hearts. May we see in wonder the splendor and mystery of God’s abiding gift. May we see everything this way.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church