Pictures of God: A Child’s Guide to Understanding Icons

PICTURES OF GOD

A Child’s Guide to Understanding Icons by John Kosmas Skinas

Ancient Faith Publishing • Chesterton, Indiana

ISBN 10: 1-888212-58-6 ISBN 13: 978-1-888212-58-7 20 19 18 17

8 7 6 5

For my wife, Suzanne, and our children: Maki, Sofiana, Zac, Gabriella, and Ephraim God has brought you to me And you have brought me to God

Icons, like all beautiful things, reveal God to us. They are quieter than most of the art we’re used to, which screams, “Look at me! Look at me!” Icons whisper, “Look at God. Look at God.”

Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at https://store.ancientfaith.com/pictures-of-god-a-childs-guide-to-understanding-icons/

Christ, the Holder of All Creation Before you, before your parents, before everyone and everything, there was God. There was never a time that God wasn’t. And if it weren’t for God, there would be nothing: no trees, no animals, no friends, no love. His hands shaped the mountains; His breath colored the flowers; and His eyes beamed when they beheld the centerpiece of His creation. Do you know what this centerpiece is? You! Along with all the people you know and don’t know, all the people you love very much and those you love very little—you are the crown of His creation.

NOTICE THIS  This icon is often painted in the main dome of an Orthodox church. The stars show that Christ is King of the Heavens. Even though He is so great, we can get to know Him by reading the book He’s holding—the Book of the Gospels.

Christ, the Holder of All Creation

(this icon is often called â€œThe Pantocratorâ€?) Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at https://store.ancientfaith.com/pictures-of-god-a-childs-guide-to-understanding-icons/

The Nativity God has so much love for us that He did something very special: He became one of us. The one who shines brighter than the sun used His endless power to become a poor and humble person, born in a cave-stable surrounded by smelly animals. The biggest made Himself the smallest. He did this so we wouldn’t be so far away from Him anymore. Like you, He grew in His mother’s womb, He was born, and He was given a name— Jesus. For the first time ever, God became someone we could see and touch and hold.

NOTICE THIS  Angels and animals, rich kings and poor shepherds—all creation rejoices that the Son of God is born. Did you know that God the Father and the Holy Spirit are in this icon too? They’re represented by the circle and rays at the upper left corner.

The Nativity of Our Lord

Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at https://store.ancientfaith.com/pictures-of-god-a-childs-guide-to-understanding-icons/

Christ Walking on Water From the beginning of time, people have been painting pictures of birds, rivers, children, and all the other beautiful things God has given the world. Since God became someone we could see, it became good for us to make pictures of Him, too. We call these special pictures icons. Not only do they remind us that Jesus is always nearby, they also give us a way to reach out to Him. In hard times He stands ready to pull us out of our troubles—just as He pulled Saint Peter out of the water. Icons are God’s life-preservers, giving us something holy to hold onto when life gets stormy.

NOTICE THIS  A person is always painted the same way in icons so we can recognize him or her. Peter is shown with short white hair and a beard. Even though he was always making mistakes, he never gave up on himself or on Jesus. Jesus is shown with long brown hair, a beard, and a halo with a cross.

Christ Walking on Water

Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at https://store.ancientfaith.com/pictures-of-god-a-childs-guide-to-understanding-icons/

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