Black and beautiful Christ child …

The symbolism of the Black Christ Child, in the art work by Laura James on the cover of the CENTURY'S Christmas issue (Dec. 11), is a quiet vindication in acrylic of thousands of words by black theologians in print in the U.S., the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and South Africa. It reminds all Christians of the critical significance of blackness as a symbol of the oppressed Son of God and his affinity with the oppressed of the world--many of whom are black.

Black theology, beginning with the writings of James H. Cone, has made a deep analysis of the plight of Africa and its black diaspora and has been unabashed in lifting up the implication that blackness in our culture is an appropriate symbol for "the least of these" (Matt. 25:45). Hence black theology has been the most challenging school of liberation theology in the U.S.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The symbolism of blackness exceeds the power of maxims like "Black is beautiful" or paintings of the Black Christ. It draws from the Bible and history nutritive meanings that not only provide liturgical helps for black churches but also contain truths that can make for the healing of the nation.

Gayraud S. Wilmore

Washington, D.C.

COPYRIGHT 2008 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning