Franciscan star, of earth and faith--8 days 'til Christmas

St. Francis Mission, Ranchos de Taos, 5 x 7 watercolor card 

St. Francis is everywhere in Northern New Mexico, settled, not always peacefully, almost 500 years ago by Spanish conquerers and Franciscan priests.
An icon of that time, when missions were built by faith from earth, looking to the heavens, is the church of St. Francis in Ranchos de Taos. It's been painted and photographed innumerable times by innumerable people, including me, in watercolor and oil.
My attempts, in these cards, remembers the continuing faith of the followers of St. Francis, still very much alive as the holy season  nears its climax...under the bright stars over the Sangre de Christo Mountains.

The iconic buttresses of the church, facing west, 5 x 7 card