Madonna of the Fir Tree
By Fr. Peter Fennessy, SJ
Christmas has come, and in “Madonna of the Fir Tree” by Marianne Stokes, the Virgin proudly shows us her Son, the newborn Savior of the world. His halo bears a cross that alludes to the way in which He will save us. The symbolism in this painting is open to various interpretations. The fir tree is associated with the Christmas tree and so with the birth of Christ. As an evergreen it can represent eternal life and hope. Its strength in storms makes it a symbol of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity. Crows are sometimes seen in combination with symbols of hope or redemption; they manifest the contrast between light and darkness, life and death, despair and salvation. So, this painting might portray the fact that light, hope and eternal life have entered our world of darkness and sin in the person of the newborn Lord. It might refer to the prophecy of Isaiah, “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree” (Isaiah 55:13), the thorn here symbolizing pain, sorrow and suffering that will give place to beauty, fragrance and endless life. Or perhaps it is just a lovely picture of Mary and her newborn Child.