The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong held it's annual Christmas Story art competition for students in years five and six.

Students from across the diocese, which includes Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Macarthur submitted entries for the competition, where the top 55 are currently displayed in art exhibition at the Wollongong Art Gallery.

From the top 55 entries, Max Gardiner from St Michael's in Mittagong was named as a finalist and will proceed to the Sydney competition.

While both Emily Colbourn from St Thomas Aquinas in Bowral and Mannat Kaur from St Michael's received highly commended awards, of which only nine were awarded out of 55 pieces of art.

Finalist Max Gardiner chose to illustrate the 'Flight to Egypt' from the bible verse Matthew 2:13-15 due to it's dramatic qualities.

"Instead of having Joseph, Mary and Jesus far into their journey, I decided to illustrate the moment they escaped," he said.

"The expression on Joseph's face seems angry at first glance but there's more depth to it than 'angry'.

"Joseph is stressed, confused and under immense pressure. He has to protect his family from danger, he has to ensure that Jesus stays alive.

"The danger is very clearly present in the red windows of town buildings as they flee to Egypt. The red symbolises danger and the urgency of the situation."

Mannat Kaur, a student from St Michael's chose the biblical passage from Luke 1: 26-36 which announced Mary's pregnancy with Jesus. Her art work, called 'The Choice of Eternity' portrays Mary's momentous decision.

"Behind Mary the colours are muted to indicate the confusion and pressure she must have felt while making her significant decision," she said.

"In contrast, [Archangel] Gabriel is painted in soft cheerful colours. The colours show love and vivaciousness when appealing to Mary.

"The hair is bright and lively, bringing joy to Mary and displaying the happiness of the good news. "

For St Thomas Aquinas student, Emma Colbourn was also inspired by 'The Escape to Egypt' in Matthew 2:13-16.

Emma drew Mary crying tears of fear as she was scared.

"She would've been scared because she had just given birth to her son Jesus and now King Herod wanted to kill him," she said.

"Her face is black and white to show how she was feeling.

"She would've been sad and scared and I think having the face black and white captures these emotions.

"The sky is a sunrise because in the scripture it says it was night when they left Bethlehem, and now it's morning [to show] that they have been travelling all night."

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