Medieval Psalter Christmas Card

I really do love the scene depicted on this card for a number of reasons. First the honey combed like back ground in indigo blue brings the central imagery to the foreground. Second the carpet like background of the night sky and the dark green field all framed in coccinelle red with the continuous ivy border establishes a gentle pastoral feel. The shepherds/musicians all have an intense stare facing the angel all while playing a variety of ancient instruments (harp, recorder/flute, bagpipes, concertina) gives the scene a Gaelic feel. The colourful hooded cloaks, leggings of deep green and orangey red combined with the bright white of the angels garb hint of Irish national colours. Of course there are the sheep and the ram the shepherd tend resplendent in their thick wavy fleece perhaps symbolic of the Lamb of God. There is also some wonderful botanical touches of oak and other florals to fill the corners of the scene all probably symbolic in their own way. Finally there’s the beautiful haloed angel emerging from the gold gilded corner holding the banner that exclaims “Gloria In Excelsis Deo”! Now I maybe in left field with my observations and comments, but I love this work for it’s beauty, it’s symbolism and most importantly the message it brings to all people on earth.