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THE NATIVITY PROJECT: Stories of Faith Revisited, Re-imaged and Revitalized for Women of Today
Barbara Marian, of Harvard, Illinois, commissioned ‘EPIPHANY’ and ‘MARY, AND THE MIDWIVES’ as the first and second of three images by Janet McKenzie that form the core of The Nativity Project. This effort was initiated by Ms. Marian to encourage women and men to revisit the stories of the birth of Jesus to discover in them the vital role and active presence of women. “Recasting the Magi”, an article written by Ms. Marian and published in the December 2001 issue of “The Liturgical Singer” (excerpted in part here) inspired Janet McKenzie to accept this commission. The artist was given complete freedom of expression, and ‘EPIPHANY’ was the result. 
“…in a reflection on the Epiphany readings for “America”, John Donahue, SJ, related the story of a small boy who frowned with disappointment at the Christmas card renderings of the Magi and blurted out, “Where are the girls?” The Jesuit went on to suggest that by raising the question the child had “captured the meaning of Epiphany” – Christ for ALL people. ...Stories shape the way we think and feel, but we also have the power to shape and reshape them. This recasting goes on constantly and reflects our changing perspectives. Indeed, stories that become static lose their meaning for us. …The story of the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew allowed the Jewish followers of Jesus to imagine the unthinkable – God’s grace extending to the outsiders, the gentiles. Who are the outsiders in our world? Can we imagine the favor of God extending beyond the human boundaries of race, class, nationality, ethnicity, religious devotion and gender? The Epiphany story portrays people on a journey in search of the truth and a glimpse of the divine, people “seeking God with a sincere heart”…if we recast the story of the Magi, who will play these seekers of the divine? Consider the possibilities: those without power or wealth, young people, women…….” Barbara Marian copyright 2001 “Here—perhaps for the first time in art – we see Mary with the midwives. 
The women’s eyes are closed in heightened awareness and communion with internal creative energy. McKenzie’s black midwives connect us with the primordial Earth Mother from which Mary comes forth as an archetypal woman – strong, centered, ready. Supported by the midwives, she draws the strength and assurance she needs as she begins to experience the pain and the labor of giving birth. Lips parted, she is exhaling – surrendering her breath and being to the Divine at work within her. In “Mary, and the Midwives” McKenzie has given women everywhere an icon that invites the awareness, celebration and naming of their own labor to give birth to the divine – in their babies, their work, their art and in their care of the earth – through the support, facilitation and advocacy of other women.” Barbara Marian, copyright 2003 (“Only two of the evangelists- Matthew and Luke – tell us the story of the birth of Jesus. Neither one mentions midwives. Hearing the story of the Nativity, a person of the first – century Mediterranean world would have assumed that midwives were present to assist and comfort mother and baby. Then as now, women would not attempt to give birth – one of the riskiest things any woman can do – without the guidance and help of someone who knows what she is doing. In Exodus 1, verse 20 we read: “God dealt well with the midwives.”” Addendum, Barbara Marian, copyright 2003) If you are interested in reproducing ‘EPIPHANY’ and/or ‘MARY, AND THE MIDWIVES’ for use in magazines, books, textbooks, video or film, etc., please contact: Janet McKenzie at jmckenzie2000@hotmail.com (802 723-4122). |