Wednesday, January 1, 2014

The Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 8

Title: The  Sermon on the Mount
Artist: Károly Ferenczy
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 135 x 203 cm
Date: 1896
Location: National Gallery, Budapest.


On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me, eight maids a-milking...


The eight maids can be identified with the eight beatitudes, or blessings, taught by Jesus as recorded in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-10. Together, the Beatitudes present a new set of Christian ideals that focus on spirit love and humility and echo the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality, and compassion. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

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