Picturing Mary: Day 17

 The adoration of the shepherds, Matthias Stom: c. 1600 – after 1652

In this simple picture, the shepherds gather round to marvel at the infant Christ who glows with light. He, the Light of the World, is the only illumination in the scene. The Bible says nothing of this, of course – the “glow in the dark” baby comes from a vision which the 14^th century mystic St Bridget of Sweden had, and wrote down. Her vision became very popular across Europe and often influences paintings of the nativity. In this scene, Mary, in red, with a blue cloak, joins in the moment of wonder.