Create in Me

Create in Me is my feature today. This Kloria book is just fantastic. Obviously, Kloria is on an impressive role! 😀 I’ll review it below, but I also want to point out that the illustrator, Lutheran artist H. Avery Prozenko, is an iconographer! By all means, check out his additional work at Lutheran Icons!

Here’s the Amazon blurb:

This penitential psalm of David has become a familiar part of the liturgy for many children.

Illuminated by the parable of the prodigal son, children can relate to the muck and mire of sin, being washed clean in baptism, and the joy of salvation.

1. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and renew a right spirit within me.
   Cast me not away from Thy presence;
   and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
   Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
   and uphold me with Thy free spirit.

My Review

Psalm 51 is rich, deep, and powerful text. Prayerful and soulful, what kind of illustrations would be suitable? I really enjoy this edition’s iconography. It may be a bit new to see an iconic Jesus holding an older child, as well as the images within, but these illustrations are sweet and earthy, showing Christ pulling a child out of the muck, washing him in baptism, and bringing him to the white-clothed saints, who receive him with joy. I mean, darling isn’t the word, but this is a great little book for the family. I was struck by several scenes. This is a book that really sticks with you, which I think is especially ideal for a Psalm that’s repeated every Sunday in church.