[Buckeye McFrog]

It is interesting how artistic renderings over the centuries put their own spin on this topic.

For example, most artistic representations of the Virgin Mary that you see show her either with Nordic features, or being very Italian looking.

I was struck by a recent statue that depicted her looking like a young Jewish girl....much like she must have actually looked.

[RoosterRedux]

King David was a ginger. (I Samuel 16:12)

[Mrs. Don-o]

I can appreciate ethno-racially accurate images of Jesus and Mary: after all, they were real people in real human history, and it's a little odd if they are portrayed as anything else, as if George Washington couldn be portrayed a Japanese....

On the other hand...

People inevitably will, and really should, portray them as the most beautiful, or dignified, or innocent, or noble, or sublime, or attractive, or lovable, or regal, or simple, or awesome people they can imagine.

This will come from the best in their culture, and this is the product of devotion. Ain't nothing wrong with that.

It also reminds us that all this is for US and for OUR salvation... whether "us" means Koryak reindeer herders or someone who lives in Trump Towers!

One of my many favorites:

[editor-surveyor]

.
You might be surprised how many “Italians” are actually of Jewish, or Hebrew descent.

The Giordanos are Danites, and most Italian names that end in “o” (like Romano) are actually crypto-Jewish.

My mother’s family falls into both of those categories.
.

[x_plus_one]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe

The picture of Mary here is supposed to be a photoimage. Look at her eyes. They are nearly closed and swolen. In one there is a reflection. This is the best picture to date of anyone of the holy family. Look at how thin and pointed her fingers are - almost nonhuman. The virgin birth of Mary is celebrated Dec 8 on the feast of the immaculate conception - of Mary.

Mary's face looks like something undead - puffy - like crying or ill.

Mary ascended to heaven - heretic christians deny the ultimate divinity of christ and the ascension of Mary so they don't take her image seriously. But it is here for all to see and Jesus might have resembled her.