[annalex]

Nativity of the Lord

[annalex]

The entire explanation of the Nativity icon is worth reading. These are the several important elements:

This icon is quite faithful to the traditional iconography established for the Nativity of Christ. Important features of this composition include:

Mary (usually disproportionately large) as the central figure, resting on a bier

Joseph, usually tempted by the devil (an old man with a cane), but sometimes facing a shepherd

1. Baby Jesus swaddled in his cradle, shown in a cave
2. Two servant women preparing to wash or washing the baby
3. Angels, the messengers of God
4. The Magi bearing gifts
5. The shepherds, announcing the good news
6. A few farm animals.

Alexander Boguslawski

I would add that the Ox and the Donkey are traditionally shown based on "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood" (Isaiah 1:3). Jesus's crib, or the manger, is often, and also in this icon, shown to suggest a coffin, since Christ baby was born to die. The naturalistic detail of women washing baby Jesus is there to instruct us of the fully human nature of Christ coexisting with His divine nature, signaled by the realistic circumstances of His birth. Incidentally, it is not uncommon to see the same person, in this case, Jesus, portrayed several times in the icon, as here, once asleep in the manger and the other time being washed.