A Starry Night

Have you seen this painting before? It might look familiar because it is one of the paintings used for this year’s Christmas cards from Joni and Friends. But there is another reason it might look familiar. When Joni was painting this picture, she wanted to get better in her artwork. One way to do this is to find someone who is really good and then try and copy what they’ve done. And this is what Joni did for this painting. Can you guess which part she painted like someone else? The sky! It is painted in the style of one of the most famous skies in art. Ask your parents to help you find a picture of Vincent Van Gogh’s painting Starry, Starry Night. Can you see how it is similar? How is it different? Joni wanted to show that in the midst of a swirling sky, the birth of Jesus and choosing to worship him brings peace.

Are you trying to get better at something? Don’t be afraid to copy someone who does it well. Just remember to let others know who you are copying! As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ” (NIV).

–Joni Eareckson Tada