MYSTICAL HORIZON: Thesis Illustration

Thanks to the referral of my friend, Nick Hardesty, I was recently commissioned to illustrate the senior thesis of a student at Franciscan University in Steubenville Ohio. I have a great love for the University, and on many occasions have experienced God's grace in very special ways there. I will leave the meaning of this first illustration to your imagination and your inquisitiveness. I have only received a brief synopsis of the thesis myself. I will tell you the subjects in this piece: To the far left are Adam(asleep) and Eve being created from his rib by God. [a copy of "The Creation of Eve" by Michelangelo] Just to their right is a child meant to represent their offspring, I'll call him Abel, as his hands are raised in prayer. [the child is copied from the figure of John the Baptist in "The Madonna of the Rocks" by Da Vinci] In the center of the image, a tree, possibly the tree of life or the tree of knowledge. Just beyond the tree to the right, the Holy family with a lamb, also a copy, though the painter's name escapes me. The cross stands at the farthest point on the horizon, emanating a faint but constant light of hope. [Cross copied from Rembrandt] The moon's position (over Eve) is, I am told, significant. I hope you enjoy the puzzle. I enjoyed drawing it!