Luke 2:12- “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
More than 30 years ago, my teacher’s aide, Monica, painted a ceramic replica of the Vargas Kneeling Santa. We have enjoyed displaying it every Christmas since then, especially because it puts the celebration of Christ’s birth in proper perspective.
Recently, my neighbor, Karen, brought me information on just how this remarkable work of art came into existence:
Having pictured in his mind for many years the figure of Santa kneeling by the crib of the Christ Child, Ray Gauer was determined to find an artist who could create such a figurine. Through a series of incredible coincidences, he was led to the studio of Maestro Rudolph Vargas, a renowned wood carver in Los Angeles.
Maestro Vargas, whose religious figures are displayed in churches in many major cities of this country—and also in the Vatican—understood the significance of depicting the two symbols of Christmas in such a unique way. From his original sculpture, molds for casting others were made.
On November 7, 1986, Maestro Vargas died, leaving behind a tremendous volume of work, including paintings and drawings. He also carved furniture, pots and bowls. His life size carving of Christ on the Cross is displayed in the chapel at the Santa Teresita Hospital in Duarte, California.
spiritualsnippets.com 
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