A Painted Advent | With Smithsonian & Olympic Artist Ron DicianniSample

Elizabeth

Zechariah had the benefit of personally hearing the news of the pregnancy of his wife from the Angel Gabriel. There is no mention, however, that Elizabeth received any such special announcement. Even Zechariah couldn’t have been of much help in exclaiming the exciting news to Elizabeth since he was made dumb for his refusal to believe Gabriel. She had to go entirely on faith, just like the rest of us!

Luke 1:24 tells us that Elizabeth’s faith was rewarded with her becoming pregnant with John the Baptist shortly after Zechariah returned home. We are then told that Elizabeth remained in seclusion for five months after that. We are not told why, nor are we told what her thoughts were during that time. Maybe she wanted to take extra care considering her age, or maybe there were some complications we are not aware of that kept her off her feet. One thing is for sure, she was preparing for the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah. The reality of her infant’s destiny must have consumed her every waking moment. 

In this painting by Ron Dicianni entitled, Elizabeth’s Secret, the artist tries to capture one of the moments in Elizabeth’s journey. The artist speculates over how perhaps Elizabeth was given groceries for daily meals throughout her pregnancy. Her awareness of this child’s purpose must have overshadowed her existence, and yet the artist tries to portray her natural journey into becoming a mother. The artist shows the basket of bread and fruit—also known as significant symbols in the Bible. Over her shoulder is cast a shadow on the wall that takes the shape of the baby. This baby was ordained to take away her disgrace and to grow up and gaze into the eyes of Jesus while baptizing him in the Jordan River.