Icons are theology expressed in color, lines and form, expressing humankind’s experience of God. The goal of icons are to lead us to an experience of God.

The traditional icon of the Nativity of our Lord is packed with theology, all of which is based on Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition. It begins with the ray of light coming down from the heavens. It is God becoming incarnate as a man.

A number of different persons are depicted in the icon. There are angels. Some just stand in awe at this great mystery while others announce the news to shepherds.

The Magi, known also as Astrologers or the Three Kings, are depicted to affirm our belief that God became man to bring salvation of all humans

Midwives are depicted bathing the Christ Child to affirm our belief that Jesus is truly human, while His second image connects Him to God.

In the lower left-hand part of the icon, Joseph is shown being tempted by an evil spirit, depicted as a shepherd, to doubt Mary’s story that the child is special and that she is a virgin. It should be noted that Joseph, by Eastern Christian tradition, is shown as an older, widowed man. Joseph overcomes this temptation because of his love for Mary. He becomes the protector of the Virgin Mary and the guardian of Jesus.

There is also one lonely shepherd playing a flute, representing the joy of humankind at this news.

The Virgin Mary is shown looking towards Joseph, praying that he will not listen to the tempter. Mary is lying on a red blanket signifying the color of life.

The Child is also depicted lying in a manger in a cave. Next to Him are an ox and donkey to remind us of Isaiah 1:3, “The ox knows his owner and the donkey knows his master’s crib. But Israel does not know, and my people do not consider me.”

Christ is shown in a dark cave to represent that He is the Light of the World. The cave symbolizes the future tomb that He will be laid and the swaddling clothes the shroud that will cover Him in His burial. This illustrates that the purpose of the Incarnation of God as Jesus, the Christ, was to make possible the Crucifixion and Resurrection which resulted in the destruction of Death. The entire story of Christ, as presented by iconography, starts with His death and Resurrection in mind and looks back to His birth. What a great mystery.