Understanding Meaning Through Symbolism in the Nativity Icon

This icon not only tells the story of Christ’s birth, it also reveals the theological meaning of the feast. Since icons are not bound by space and time, we see many events that occurred over time depicted simultaneously.

In the earliest Christian traditions, the feast of Jesus’ birth was celebrated on January 6, at the same time as the Adoration of the Magi (Lesser Epiphany) and the Baptism of the Lord (Greater Epiphany). Later, to underscore Christ’s human nature, the feast of Christmas was instituted on December 25 in the West.

The most ancient image of the nativity is found in the Basilica of Bethlehem. In this image, Mary is seated with the Christ Child in her lap. After the Council of Ephesus, which established the doctrine of Divine Maternity naming Mary the Theotokos, the virgin began to be represented lying down, a more natural posture for a woman who had just given birth.  She is depicted reclining on a red cushion which symbolizes Mary as the “unconsumed burning bush.” (Red and fire in icons symbolizes the Holy Spirit.) The burning bush is a powerful symbol that represents God’s miraculous energy, sacred light, illumination and burning heart of purity, love and clarity to both the Jews and Christians. It also represents Moses’ reverence before the Divine Presence at Mt. Sinai when he was given the law via the burning bush.

Some of the information about the icon is taken from the Protoevangelium of James. For example, Mary does not gaze at the infant Jesus, rather keeps a watchful eye on St. Joseph, who is said to have walked out of the cave following the birth.  More on this, below.

 

Swaddling Clothes. The Christ child, wrapped in white linen like a corpse, is placed in a cradle that looks like a sepulcher. He was wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes so that we may become free from the snares of death. He will release these swaddling clothes and leave them abandoned in the empty tomb after His resurrection, according to St. Gregory of Nazianzus. In Jewish tradition, leaving a linen napkin neatly folded at the table meant that the meal was not over yet, and that the diner planned to return, hence the neatly folded linens in the tomb following His crucifixion signify Christ’s intention to return.Manger. Christ lying in a manger that feeds animals symbolizes that He too will become our sustenance as the living bread. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (Jn 6:51)

The manger has another significant meaning. A manger was typically carved from stone (like a tomb) to be a place of security. Newborn lambs, specifically unblemished lambs selected for the sacrifice under Jewish law, would be placed in the manger for safety to ensure they remain unblemished for the future sacrifice. Jesus Christ, the unblemished lamb of God, who was also sacrificed for the sins of humanity, was placed in a manger.

Cave. In iconography, caves represent ignorance and sin. The dark cave where Christ lies represents the world’s darkness in sin before Him. It also symbolizes His burial after crucifixion. The cave becomes the place where the Sun of Justice shines forth the light at birth and at resurrection. We see the cave once again in the Anastasis (Resurrection) icon when Christ descends to the place of dead after crucifixion.

Ox & Donkey. The ox and the donkey began to appear in nativity icons as early as the 4^th century and are believed to represent the Jews and the Gentiles according to St. John Chrysostom, although they are not mentioned in the Gospels. The ox was an animal identified as Kosher by the Jews, and one they relied upon to plow the fields. The donkey was considered a wilder, unclean animal that would represent the gentiles. “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey it’s master’s manger…” (Is 1:3) Before the cross, neither the Jews recognized Christ nor the Gentiles knew Him, while after His resurrection the whole world flocked to Him.

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Stars & Angels. The star and the angel stand for the Trinity, and the angels have two roles: to be messengers who announce Christ’s birth and to give Him glory, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.” (Lk 2:14) The shepherds stand listening to the good news announced by the angel and sometimes, a young shepherd is shown playing an instrument, adding the music of humanity to accompany the angel’s hymns glorifying God. The star, which led the magi to the cave, typically has three rays shining down upon the infant Christ, which represent the Trinity.

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Magi. The magi from the East bearing gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold correspond to the Myrrh Bearing Women who came to anoint Christ at the tomb on Easter, bringing with them these same fragrances and oils. Gold represents Christ as king; frankincense signifies His divinity; myrrh represents His sacrifice, death, and resurrection, as an oil used to anoint the dead.

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Midwives. The midwives washing the infant Christ show that Jesus was fully human and entered the world through a real physical birth while at the same time washing foreshadows the sacrament of baptism. Some nativity icons depict the basin in the octagonal shape of the traditional baptismal font.In this particular icon of the Nativity, a tree is positioned directly over the basin, which can be understood to symbolize the wood of the cross on which Our Lord was crucified.

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St. Joseph. Joseph is seen in the corner of the icon perplexed and distant, being tempted by the shepherd–demon (in profile*) wearing a hair coat who represents incredulous humanity, over which the vigilant Mary keeps watch. Could this odd little shepherd be the devil disguised intentionally to create doubt? Joseph’s confusion represents humanity’s struggle to understand the mystery of the Incarnation and potential for disbelief. Despite the suggestion of confusion, St. Joseph wears a halo, indicating his sanctity even in times of doubt.*individuals presented in profile icons represent evil, as they are unable to show their entire face to God. In icons, Judas is also typically shown in profile.