Ready or not, yesterday marked the beginning of advent and what better way to take time out and reflect upon this season than joining us for our advent seminar series! Last year we explored the origins of the nativity story, spending time with Matthew and Luke and trying to understand it through their words. This year we will be discovering how that blended story continues to exert its influence throughout history.

So let me cordially invite you to:

Imagining the Nativity at the Barber Institute

with Professor Martin O’Kane

Saturday 5 December 11.00 – 12.30
Repeated on Wednesday 9 December 2.00 – 3.30

Barber Institute, University of Birmingham, B15 2TS

Many will already know and appreciate Professor Martin O’Kane’s wonderfully rich and informative explorations of the use of the Bible in art. We are delighted to announce that Martin has offered to be our guide at the Barber Institute for this year’s Advent Seminars.

The visit will explore in detail three paintings depicting aspects of the Christmas story: de Beer’s Nativity, Bassano’s Adoration of the Magi and Veronese’s Visitation. The emphasis will be on how viewing such paintings can illuminate the Gospel texts and how the artist, through a variety of subtle techniques, draws the viewer into the intimacy of the scene. In order to experience similar artistic techniques in the depiction of another important biblical topic, the visit will close with a brief consideration of three paintings that depict biblical feasts: Stom’s Isaac blessing Jacob, Murillo’s Marriage at Cana and Steen’s The Wrath of Ahasuerus.

In order to make this opportunity accessible to as many people as possible, Martin will run this session twice. We will be meeting in the foyer.

The Barber Institute is a wonderful place to visit. Entrance is free (but there is a charge for car parking – £3 for 1-3 hours) and has extremely good facilities with refreshments and shop. More details, including transport information can be found here.

No Vacancies: Still no room at the inn?

with Stephanie O’Connor

Tuesday 15th December 5.30 – 7.00
Newman University

Room CH116

Stephanie O’Connor will be guiding us through the ways that the nativity story is still part of today’s society. Throughout this session she will be exploring how this ancient story is presented in popular culture. Her talk will raise important questions about modernisation and how messages can adapt or be subverted by new media, and what this might mean to the Church’s message of Christmas today?

… and if all that isn’t enough – drinks and mince pies will be provided!

​For further information: r.goode@staff.newman.ac.uk