No Manger in Cowboy Country

William Kurelek

William Kurelek, (1927 – 1977) was a renowned Canadian artist and author. His work was influenced by his childhood on the prairies, his Ukrainian-Canadian roots, his struggles with mental illness and his conversion to Roman Catholicism when he was 30 years old. He received the Order of Canada in 1976. Kurelek conceived much of his art as a vehicle for religious instruction. His paintings were overt proclamations of faith that brought the Christian story to modern audiences.

This work is part of a series of 20 paintings depicting the Nativity as if Christ had been born in various Canadian settings: an igloo, a trapper’s cabin a boxcar and an motel.

The owner of this painting has agreed for a copy of this painting to be made and copyright has graciously been granted by the Kurelek Foundation.

Meditation: LUKE 2:7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"