Antonio Stradivari: Beachcomber and Violin Maker
The Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivari was a poor man. But his violins are the most prized ever made, because of their rich and resonant sound. A Stradivarius cannot be duplicated and can easily sell for 13 million pounds!
What may surprise us is that these instruments were not made from treasured pieces of wood; but discarded timber. Because Stradivari couldn’t afford fine materials, he got most of his wood from the dirty harbours where he lived. He would gather waterlogged pieces of wood, clean them up, and dry them out. A method we might compare to ‘beachcombing’ today. Then, from them, Stradivari would create instruments of rare beauty.
It has since been discovered that while the wood floated in those dirty harbours, microbes infiltrated the wood and ate out the centre cells. This left a fibrous infrastructure that created resonating chambers for the music. From wood that nobody in the world wanted, Stradivari produced violins that now everybody wants in the world!
The Incarnation: The Creative Work of God
Stradivari transformed rubbish into treasure. Similarly, the Incarnation – the Birth of Jesus Christ – offers us the promise of transformation into what God can make us. The pieces of wood were considered merely as flotsam and jetsam. Stradivari took the time and effort to save them when they washed up on the shore. Yet, look at the work put into them to make them unique, priceless works of art, and highly prized instruments. We are no different in God’s eyes.
As St Paul says in Ephesians, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.
And also in Philippians, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
The Anthem and the Symphony
What is more meager than a Manger for a crib? And yet from this bed arose one who raises us to unimaginable beauty and worth. Whose work, both human and divine, reveals that our true destiny lies not as life’s flotsam and jetsam, but instead resonating with Angels and Archangels, singing:
‘Glory to God in the Highest!’
This is the Anthem of Christmas and the Symphony of Life.
