25. Christ Is Born.

This Italian Baroque nativity painting using light in an intriguing manner to mark the Lord’s birth. All brightness seems to come from the Baby Himself in this image, who is the Light of the world.

As is so often the case in religious art, this work depicts the Holy Family and those attending the nativity in the artist’s own ethnicity. And maybe that’s fitting, as a metaphor for the way the Lord meets each of us right where we are. As mortals, we have always needed Him, so as a mortal he appeared.

And that’s the beauty of Christmas – the incarnation of the Lord, who took on human form such as ours and lived to die for us.

Merry Christmas. May He be ever praised.

The Birth of Christ, by Carlo Saraceni, c1610

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24. A Vintage Nativity Greeting

Today’s nativity art pick reminds me of nearly every Advent calendar I had as a child. Remember when these annual Christmas countdown decorations used to display sacred nativity scenes, often with some glitter added for extra flair? How fun it was to open one little door each day and see what tiny picture or message would be displayed in the mornings leading up to Christmas!

 Vintage Christmas Postcard

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23. Angels Awaken a Pastoral Scene

Dutch painter and print-maker Abraham Bloemaert captured the Bethlehem shepherds in this treasured painting, right in the moment when an angel of the Lord arrived to bring the joyous news of Christ’s birth. Some shepherds still slumber, and a few seem to be continuing their own business. But several are looking up, ready to receive the sweet supernatural message.

On the left-hand side, tucked along the edge of the painting, one can barely make out the nativity scene. At least, it appears to be that depiction. Frankly, I find it hard to tell. The artist’s focus is clearly on the angelic appearance to the shepherds on the hillside.

I love the way the light in this artwork seems to emanate from the angel, illuminating the night scene from there. The sheep are bathed in this warm, making the whole area seem friendly and peaceful, even though the Bible says the shepherds were “sore afraid” (see Luke 2:9).

Announcement to the Shepherds, by Abraham Bloemaert, c1600

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