Cedar & Stars

11/01/2021

Dear Friends, As the year turns and the chill of shorter days is upon us, we are delighted to offer you our newest selection of Christmas cards. Browse the collection and enjoy the beautiful images surrounding the season of the Nativity of our Lord. Advent remains a few weeks away, but the gentle de...

04/29/2021

Cedar & Stars wants to participate in this Year of St. Joseph by offering this plaque-mounted reproduction of Francesco Grandi's fresco "St. Joseph and the Infant Christ." Two sizes are available: 9.1" x 15.0" and 15.1" x 25.0".

Here, St. Joseph's patriarchal authority is pronounced by a very dominant posture. Holding the infant Christ, he steps forward from an ornate, stone throne signed with the Latin inscription, "Tu eris super domum meam" (You are charged with my household).
https://www.cedarandstars.com/product-page/st-joseph-fresco-in-sacro-monte-della-beata-vergine-del-soccorso

04/13/2021

Although an account of Jesus meeting his mother Mary immediately after his resurrection is not to be found in the Gospels, old Christian devotion, particularly in Spain, wished to honor the Blessed Virgin. In this Juan de Flandes piece, the composition of Mary's gesture/posture in a temple setting mirrors the traditional depictions of the Annunciation. Note the closed book of scripture and the new temple and portal arch. On the arch are scenes of Pentecost, the Visitation, the Coronation, and the Annunciation.

“When the third day came, it brought bewilderment and anxiety to the Disciples. The women going to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus sought him and could not find him. The Apostles were gathered together in their fear, guarding the doors. Then, surely, though we are not told of this in the Gospels, Mary spoke of the Resurrection of her Son, that he had truly risen from death, that he was alive again in all his humanity, no more subject to death, risen to an eternal glory. We read that Mary Magdalen and the Apostles were first to see the risen Christ. But we may believe that Mary his Mother knew of his rising before all others, and that she was the first to see him. It was Mary in her lowliness who first gave praise and adoration to the risen Christ.” -St. Bridget of Sweden

For Queen Isabella of Castile (ca. 1496), Juan de Flandes painted the legend of Jesus appearing to his mother post his resurrection. The iconographic composition of Mary's gesture and setting mirrors the traditional depictions of the Annunciation. Note the closed book of scripture and the new temple...

04/13/2021

Mimicking the Risen Christ, we're back from our long hiatus. We hope you had a blessed Easter and continue to imbibe the Paschaltide spirit of new life and joy. New greeting card offerings and reproductions will be available soon, just in time for any wedding, ordination, first communion, confirmation, or special commemoration. Christ is Risen!

01/06/2021

In traditional liturgical calendars, today marks Epiphany. The Magi- Caspar, Balthasar, and Melchior- sojourned and sought the Christ child through the wild chaos surrounding their journey and even under the ominous threats of King Herod. Their belief and adoration of Jesus in his humanity, therefore, gave occasion to manifest his divine nature.

12/31/2020

Since 2014, Cedar & Stars has been dedicated to providing beautiful sacred art reproductions, illuminations, and Catholic art to enthusiasts and laymen alike. Our pieces have rich theological themes, symbols, and stories translated in the vein of an ancient sacred aesthetic.

12/29/2020

December 28 - Feast of the Holy Innocents. The Church recognizes the slaughtered children as saints in heaven.

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

'A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.'"

-Matthew 2:16-18

The image is taken from a late 13th century Biblical manuscript authored and illuminated by an anonymous "Master of Genoa". As de rigueur for his Italian contemporaries, the Master was deeply influenced by Byzantine icon writing with its depiction of three-dimensional objects in space and theological symbolism and allegory.

12/26/2020

Christmas Day has come and passed. We hope it was one filled with great love and festivity. In this seasonal spirit of greeting and giving, allow us to share a Christmas poem with you.

"Christmas Bells" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

12/23/2020

NEED A UNIQUE LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFT?

Our digital Gift Certificates can be used to shop our light playful greeting cards, plaque-mounted sacred art reproductions, and custom illuminations.

https://www.cedarandstars.com/gift-card

12/08/2020

December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception