Curious Christian

Reflecting on the writings of Christian mystics, I have observed that the Biblical events which especially draw their attention are the theophanies —moments when God reveals himself in overwhelming, mysterious ways. One of the most well-known examples is God’s appearance to Moses atop Mount Sinai, shrouded in cloud and fire. Another is the Transfiguration of Jesus, which mirrors the Sinai event in several profound ways. In both, we see divine glory breaking through the veil of the ordinary world.

When it comes to artistic representations of the Transfiguration, I find that icons where Jesus is surrounded by a halo of darkness are particularly powerful. This counterintuitive use of darkness—where we might expect light—has a way of making the figure of Christ stand out all the more dramatically. The darkness doesn’t obscure his glory; rather, it amplifies it, just as a diamond set against dark velvet appears even more radiant. This contrast invites a deeper reflection. The mystery of God’s presence isn’t something that only overwhelms with light. Sometimes, it’s the depth of the darkness that reveals the most—beckoning us to look beyond the surface and into the profound mystery of who Jesus is.