Scriptures in Pictures

The biblical writer Matthew quotes words from the prophet Jeremiah in the Christmas story. This Christmas, that contrast of death and hope can also be seen with the coronavirus pandemic during this season.

Christmas markets, a cherished tradition in Germany and neighboring countries, have joined the long list of annual traditions that were canceled or diminished this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here is a reflection on Lamentations 1:1, as seen in photos of European Christmas markets.

As fighting continues between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, priests from the Armenian Apostolic Church conducted a blessing and baptism service for soldiers. Such images fit biblical stories. But is this 2 Chronicles 13 or 1 Kings 22?

Exodus 13:20-22 as seen in photos of a caravan of about 10,000 indigenous Colombians traveling to the capital of Cali to express to President Ivan Duque their grievances about violence and government neglect.

Amos 5:16, as seen in photos from the National COVID-19 Remembrance, outside of the White House on Oct. 4, 2020. There were 20,000 empty chairs, each representing 10 Americans who have died from COVID-19.

Joel 1:18-20, as seen in photos from recent wildfires in the western part of the United States — which is already the largest wildfire season in California’s history.

2 Kings 11, which details the rise of King Joash and the overthrow of the illegitimate Athaliah, as seen in photos from protests in Belarus against authoritarian ruler Alexander Lukashenko.

Isaiah 57:13, as seen in photos of a Confederate monument outside Calcasieu Parish courthouse in Lake Charles, Louisiana, that was knocked down by Hurricane Laura.

A parable in Judges 9 about picking poor political leaders, as seen in photos from political protests in Lebanon following a deadly explosion in Beirut that killed more than 150 people.

References to the beauty and glory of Lebanon appear throughout the Old Testament. And in Jeremiah 22, the weeping prophet urges Jerusalem to cry for the destruction of Lebanon — a passage today seen through photos of the August 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut.