[kosta50]

It's always amazed me that some people find it so difficult to understand that in the case of the Holy Family

Protestants subscribe, imo, to jealous egalitarianism: "no one is as good as I am. My interpretation of the Bible is as good as anyone's." Humility has no meaning. God has already chosen those who will be saved, so why be humble, right? That way, they can indulge in passions as long as they cry "Lord, Lord," they will be fine. That's part of the appeal. Someone once remarked that it is real miracle Protestantism didn't spread more than it did.

An Orthodox Nativity icon actually shows Satan telling +Joseph not to believe the Virgin Birth because "it makes no sense." I think it is a telling indication as to what the Church though of those who doubted something the Church believed all along.

In the lower corner is dejected +Joseph and an old man, satan, is seen casting doubts.

[wagglebee]

On an purely intellectual level, none of it makes sense. Mysteries of Faith are called mysteries for a reason. How would any of us react if an Angel of God appeared to us and told us these things? How would any of us feel if we were holding an Infant in our arms knowing that He was God? Why would St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary even consider having other children when their Child was THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON WHO WILL EVER LIVE? Would it have been fair to bring other children into the world, when serving their Firstborn was THEIR SOLE PURPOSE IN LIFE?

[annalex]

In the lower corner is dejected +Joseph and an old man, satan, is seen casting doubts.

Ah! Cavarnos does not describe that. It is true that the icon of Nativity has many optional parts.

Cavarnos does point out that the washing of bandages is important and is a signal that the birth was a natural act, and not a theophany out of the air. The prevalent Catholic and I trust Orthodox view is that the birth took place naturally, however, the hymen remained intact miraculously, and the pains were spared her.

I have never seen Satan depicted as an old sweet-looking man. Have you? Cavarnos explains that Satan is to be depicted unclearly, for example with the face smudged or too dark to see detail. The Ladder of Divine ascent is one with many devils, and they are depicted like naked humans, dark and with tails. Likewise is the Satan sometimes depicted in the Descent to Hades. But we digress.