An original watercolor painting by Jana Zuniga, printed on 100 lb archival linen paper. The Thrill of Hope print illustrated Mary holding baby Jesus on Christmas night, as she takes a moment to revel in the fulfillment of God's promises.
Each print will include the following reflection, written by the artist:
There was once a moment in history when the entire world was caught in a holy and cosmic eruption of hope. There was once a night when every star in the sky reverenced the birth of a King.
And there was a woman, a mother, who held his fragile little body and felt his tiny fingers curl around her own. She felt his heart beating mightily, and could scarcely contain the love she felt spilling over her son, her only son.
She knew not the swords which would pierce her heart. She knew not the kind of death he would accept. She knew not the pain her motherhood would inflict.
In this most sacred moment, all she knew was God’s fidelity. All she could see was hope.
The whole earth fell silent, and all she could hear was the sound of his little heart thumping. Her baby boy.
The purest form of love made flesh.
Is this blessed moment not meant to minister our hearts in the present? In our darkest hour? In the shadows of our doubts? In the deep valleys of fear?
Let your eyes be blinded by the glory of our King, knowing he has come for you already. There is no more waiting. He has come, and he will come for you over and over again.
Let the light of this night warm your nose, and your cheeks and your eyelids. Hold the Savior of the world in your own arms, inhaling his peace, exhaling joy.
Look up in bewilderment of God’s promises fulfilled. The greatest thrill of hope the world has ever known.