Nativity


Matthew 1, 16 - 25

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2, 6 - 7

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Protoevangelium of St. James

XIX.

1. And behold a woman coming down from the hillcountry, and she said to me: Man, whither goest thou? And I said: I seek a midwife of the Hebrews. And she answered and said unto me: Art thou of Israel? And I said unto her: Yea. And she said: And who is she that bringeth forth in the cave? And I said: She that is betrothed unto me. And she said to me: Is she not thy wife? And I said to her: It is Mary that was nurtured up in the temple of the Lord: and I received her to wife by lot: and she is not my wife, but she hath conception by the Holy Ghost. And the midwife said unto him: Is this the truth? And Joseph said unto her: Come hither and see. And the midwife went with him.

2. And immediately the cloud withdrew itself out of the cave, and a great light appeared in the cave so that our eyes could not endure it. And by little and little that light withdrew itself until the young child appeared: and it went and took the breast of its mother Mary.





171 photos
The three Magi departing across the seas. From the     
Baptistery, Florence. Mosaics cover the entire cupola. 
They were begun in 1220 and completed a century later. 
The designs are by Florentine painters, among them     
Cimabue and the young Giotto.
#15030557

The three Magi departing across the seas. From the Baptistery, Florence. Mo...

Nativity. Saint Mary asleep; a ray of light falls      
from heaven onto the child; angels and shepherds.      
Foreground left: washing the child; right: St.Joseph.  
Exonarthex
#150308 7

Nativity. Saint Mary asleep; a ray of light falls from heaven onto the chi...

Saint Mary asleep, angels and a light from heaven      
on the newborn. Detail of 15-03-08/7                   
Exonarthex
#150308 8

Saint Mary asleep, angels and a light from heaven on the newborn. Detail o...

Manger,used in the monastery church during Christmas   
services.Woodcarving,around 1760.
#16010154

Manger,used in the monastery church during Christmas services.Woodcarving,aro...

Manger,used in the monastery church during Christmas   
services.Detail. Woodcarving,around 1760.
#16010155

Manger,used in the monastery church during Christmas services.Detail. Woodcar...

Manger,used in the monastery church during Christmas   
services.Detail. Woodcarving,around 1760.
#16010156

Manger,used in the monastery church during Christmas services.Detail. Woodcar...

Christmas in the Austrian village of Wagrain.Children  
and young people go from house to house and sing       
Christmas songs.
#16010158

Christmas in the Austrian village of Wagrain.Children and young people go from...

Manuscript of the Christmas song "Silent night,holy    
night" text by teacher Josef Mohr,music by parish      
priest Franz Gruber,Oberndorf near Salzburg,1816.      
See also:26-01-03/67-70;51-02-02/35,39;51-02-10/15A.
#17030151

Manuscript of the Christmas song "Silent night,holy night" text by teacher J...

Manuscript of the Christmas song "Silent night,holy    
night" text by teacher Josef Mohr,music by parish      
priest Franz Gruber,Oberndorf near Salzburg,1816.      
See also:26-01-03/67-70;51-02-02/35,39;51-02-10/15A.
#17030152

Manuscript of the Christmas song "Silent night,holy night" text by teacher J...

An old woman dreaming of past Christmas celebrations.  
Print
#18010115

An old woman dreaming of past Christmas celebrations. Print

The visit.                                             
Coloured print.
#18010117

The visit. Coloured print.

Calvary of Pleyben, Brittany. Crucifixion statues
on a triumphal arch.The birth of Jesus.
#22020159

Calvary of Pleyben, Brittany. Crucifixion statues on a triumphal arch.The birth...