Modern Madonna by John Storrs

We are once again traveling through the season of celebrating the incarnation of God in Christ. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) But do we behold His glory?

In the crush of holiday festivity, does worship of Christ take a one-month vacation? Don’t let it be so this year. Steal a moment of time here and there to think on Jesus coming to save sinful mankind. Take a moment to think on Him by considering a simple modern sculpture called Modern Madonna.

John Storrs (1885-1956) was a native of Chicago, and the youngest of seven children with five sisters and a brother. When Storrs’ older brother died tragically, John’s mother sheltered him to the point of keeping him from school until nine. However, he eventually gained independence and he began a lifetime of travel and residence in Europe. He studied under the famous French artist August Rodin (i.e. The Thinker, The Kiss). Through his travels, Storrs was influenced by Egyptian, Greek and American Indian artwork, the cubism of Pablo Picasso, and futuristic visions of modern architecture.

All of these influences are felt in Modern Madonna. Storrs fashioned this 23 inch tall terracotta sculpture in 1918. It is similar to a medal he designed honoring French widows and orphans of World War I. Another source of inspiration came from the birth of his only child during that same year. Though the image clearly represents a woman and child, the characters are reduced down to simple forms. The vertical lines of the piece give it an upward focus and has accurately been described as resembling a skyscraper.

What is the message of Modern Madonna? Because of the title we know the figures represent more than just any woman and child. It is a modern representation of the genre known as Madonna and child - Jesus and his mother Mary. I am not sure of the religious commitment of the artist Storrs. Regardless, the piece conveys Christological truth worthy of meditation.

The glory of the incarnation is that God entered into humanity by coming through the womb of a woman. At just the right moment in history God orchestrated the events ushering in the life of the Messiah. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

I find the historical context of Modern Madonna to be fascinating. Commemorating the sorrow of World War I widows, the mother clings to her child. Although Storrs did not know it at the time, many orphans of the first war would grow up to become the victims of World War II. And yet, the moment captured in terracotta is one of protection and innocence. Just as Storrs’ own mother sought to protect him after the death of his brother, the mother in the sculpture clings tightly to her child.

Imagine then, being Mary the mother of Jesus and hearing prophetic words about the destiny of your child. “Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)

Maternal protectiveness is natural, and yet even Mary learned to submit to the will of God. Her Son came as Savior, a role not without pain and sorrow. We know from Scripture that both Mary and her sons by Joseph became Christian followers of the resurrected Christ (Acts 1:14). The sweet Baby in her arms became a suffering Savior on the cross so that sinners could be reconciled to God.

Notice also the humility of Christ in being held and cradled by a human mother. What divine condescension He displays in entering creation as a helpless and needy newborn. Charles Spurgeon says it best, “Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms.”

However, the humbling of Christ did not end with His birth. His entire life is a picture of radical submission to God’s design for Him to walk the earth, live without sin among sinners, die a cruel death, and even be placed in a borrowed tomb. These are all the steps of humiliation Christ took during the incarnation.

Even the composition of the sculpture speaks of the flesh and earthly humility of Christ. The sculpture is terra cotta, literally meaning “baked earth.” We are reminded that Adam was created from the dust of the ground and to the dust he returned. Christ took on Himself this “dust of the earth” body but, unlike Adam, the body of Christ did not return to the ground. Instead, God began the exaltation of Christ by raising Him to life, calling Him back to heaven, and giving Him a position of power and authority over the nations (Psalm 2).

As Paul teaches us, the humility of Christ in coming as a human is a prod to us to be humble ourselves. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Indeed, let the mind of Christ be in you this Christmas. Worship Him in the midst of the hurry and rush. Seek His salvation for your sin. Live out His humility and servanthood in your own relationships.

W. Scott Lamb is a pastor with Providence Baptist Church in South St. Louis County, MO. He and his wife Pearl enjoy the challenges and pleasures of raising their four sons. Feel free to contact Scott at www.pbcstlouis.com.