Greg Olsen: Painting the Spirit of Christmas
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DB Podcasts
4.8 • 6.2K Ratings
🗓️ 6 December 2023
⏱️ 49 minutes
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Summary
There is a man whose love inspires people during this time of year. Some might say it’s a man with a white beard who delivers Christmas presents to children around the world on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. But renowned Latter-day Saint painter Greg Olsen believes it is actually the Savior of the world who inspires Santa Claus himself. On this week’s episode, we talk with the artist about how he began painting in the first place but then why he chose to paint Santa Claus in addition to his many well-known paintings of Jesus Christ.
“Done in the right way, seen from the right perspective, Santa—that tradition—does carry on the mission of Jesus. Doing unto others, giving, serving, spreading love and cheer…it’s hard to separate those two.” —Greg Olsen
Show Notes
2:09- It Takes a Village To Raise an Artist
5:24- A Prophetic Statement
20:37- A Branch Full of Good Things
23:10- Reaching Outside of the Latter-day Saint World
28:57- Santa and the Savior
32:49- We Follow What Is Good
37:13- Lost and Found
42:02- Everyone’s an Artist
45:54- What Does It Mean to Be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Paintings referenced in the episode:
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I hope everyone's having a Merry Christmas season thus far. Before we get into today's |
| 0:05.9 | interview I wanted to provide a quick content advisory that this episode may be best listened to |
| 0:12.1 | without little ears nearby as some of |
| 0:15.0 | Santa's best trade secrets are discussed. In the description of his painting |
| 0:21.6 | the Spirit of Christmas Greg Olson writes in part, |
| 0:25.0 | By the magical light of a small Christmas candle, |
| 0:28.0 | a little old man tries to carefully handle |
| 0:31.0 | the small porcelain manger which serves as a bed for the wee baby Jesus to lay down his head. |
| 0:37.0 | In wonder he brings the manger up to his view, smiles at the baby, and whispers, I love you. I love you for bringing this season of |
| 0:45.4 | joy. I love you for growing to a man from a boy, for being our light and |
| 0:50.0 | leading the way, for being the spirit which makes Christmas day. |
| 0:54.4 | You've been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide. |
| 0:57.6 | Please continue to help me and stay by my side. |
| 1:01.3 | Then back to his mother, the child is returned. The nativity glows as the |
| 1:05.3 | candle is burned. In a wink, the little old man slips quietly away. Some say he |
| 1:10.8 | goes up the chimney and climbs in a sleigh. |
| 1:13.6 | Whatever the case, his mission is clear, |
| 1:15.8 | give unto others, bringing love and good cheer. |
| 1:18.8 | He flies into the night and bids us ado, |
| 1:21.6 | doing for others what Jesus would do. |
| 1:24.0 | As I thought about who might be a great guest for our last episode before Christmas, |
| 1:29.5 | I couldn't help but think of a man who managed to paint Santa in a painting about the real meaning of |
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