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In total darkness, a single intense beam of white light breaks through from above, illuminating nothingness. The contrast between deep black and the sudden brilliance creates a dramatic, hopeful dawn.
In the beginning, there was only darkness. Then God said, "Let there be light!" Suddenly, bright light filled the space. "This is good," God smiled. God called the light Day and the darkness Night. The first day was complete. Next, God made the sky above and the waters below. On the third day, God said, "Let dry land appear!" Mountains rose up and oceans formed. "Now let plants grow!" Grass, flowers, and fruit trees sprouted everywhere. God looked at the colorful world and said, "Very good!"
A huge, glowing sun dominates the sky, casting golden rays. Beside it, a crescent moon and scattered stars twinkle in the deep blue heavens, all reflected shimmering on a calm ocean surface.
On the fourth day, God made the sun to shine during the day and the moon and stars to twinkle at night. "Now the world needs living creatures," God said on day five. God filled the oceans with fish that swam and splashed. Birds flew across the sky, singing cheerful songs. On the sixth day, God made animals of every kind. Lions roared, rabbits hopped, and elephants trumpeted. "One more thing," God said. "I will make people to care for this beautiful world."
Middle Eastern Adam, a 25-year-old man with short dark brown hair, kneels on soft earth in a lush garden. He wears a simple tunic of undyed woven linen. His eyes are closed in peaceful awe as a glowing breath swirls toward him.
God made the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground. God breathed life into him. God planted a special garden called Eden, filled with wonderful trees and a sparkling river. "Adam, you may eat fruit from any tree except one," God explained. "The Tree of Knowledge is not for you." Adam named all the animals, but he felt lonely. God made Eve to be his friend. Adam and Eve were happy together. They walked in the cool garden every evening, talking with God.
Middle Eastern Eve, a 25-year-old woman with long dark brown hair, stands in a sun-dappled garden, holding a half-eaten red fruit. She wears a simple undyed woven linen tunic. She looks toward a serpent coiled on a branch, her expression shifting from curiosity to dawning shame.
One day, a sneaky serpent whispered to Eve, "Why not try that special tree? You will become wise." Eve looked at the beautiful fruit. She picked it and took a bite, then gave some to Adam. Immediately, they felt ashamed. They hid when God came to visit. "What have you done?" God asked sadly. Adam and Eve had to leave the garden. Life would be harder now. But God still loved them and promised that good would come again someday. They walked forward into a new world, ready to begin again.