Canon James’s Study Group for Advent this year will be based around Henri Nouwen’s reflections on Rembrandt’s famous panting “The Return of the Prodigal Son“.

Henri Nouwen’s book “The return of the Prodigal Son” (Darton, Longman & Todd 1992) is a series of personal reflections on the Rembrandt painting which hangs in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia and the way it allows the parable of Jesus to speak in new ways. It tells of Henri’s encounter with the painting itself in 1986 and his move to the L’Arche Daybreak community. He hung a print of the painting in his new community, and he reflected over time on how he had been the younger (prodigal) son, the elder son and the father in the Gospel story.

The Return of the Prodigal Son is among Rembrandt’s final works, likely completed within two years of his death in 1669. It shows the moment of the prodigal son’s return to his father in the parable, and was described by art historian Kenneth Clark as “a picture which those who have seen the original in St. Petersburg may be forgiven for claiming as the greatest picture ever painted”

There will be four sessions each lasting a little over an hour, at Anna and James’ house at 11 Ferry Road, Golspie on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm on the following dates:

• 26^th November – Introduction to Nouwen’s encounter with the painting and his reflections on it.

• 3^rd December – The Younger Son (the Prodigal) – Luke 15:11-20

• 10^th December – The Elder Son – Luke 15:25-31

• 17^th December – The Father and some Concluding Discussion – Luke 15:20-24

The sessions revolve around chapters in Henri Nouwen’s book. The sessions will be semi-independent, so all are welcome even if you can’t manage all of them, but there is benefit from being able to piece it all together by engaging with all four.  If you wish any more information, speak to or contact Canon James.