The Nativity Icon – Arched Engraved Silver, Gold & Wood

Description

The icon of the Nativity depicts the birth of Jesus Christ. In the center in the icon is the Virgin Mary and the newborn Christ in a manger, which is placed in a cave and there are two animals watching over Him. There is a star in the sky, signifying the star that guided the Magi (or Wise Men) to His birthplace. At the bottom of the icon is a tree, symbolizing the Jesse Tree prophecy from the Old Testament, which says, “A shoot shall sprout from the stump (tree) of Jesse and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him.”

Joseph is depicted in the bottom left corner, far from the Virgin Mary and the newborn Christ, as he was not part of the miracle that led to the birth of Christ. Speaking to Joseph is an old man, representing the doubts being planted in Joseph’s mind by the devil. In the bottom right corner are two midwives, representing the fact that Jesus was born in the same manner that all humans are. The angels in the icon are sharing the news of the birth of Christ and glorifying God. The feast of the Nativity is celebrated on December 25 by Western Christian churches and on January 7 by Eastern Orthodox churches.