The Nativity

To understand

WHAT YOU CAN SEE IN THIS PICTURE

 The nativity represents Mary’s delivery.

The Virgin is still lying while Joseph warms up the swaddled child, or lights up the cow-house since the birth has taken place at night. Added to this, we can see some angels, an ass, an ox… two midwives preparing or giving a bath to Jesus; which prefigures his baptism. Thus each character has a function and the scene is slightly dispersed.

Luke’s text only says that the birth took place at night and in a crib, that is to say a manger for beasts. As night was difficult to paint, only the star was kept until the 16^th century.

The apocryphal gospels give some details missing in Luke: the grotto, the ass and the ox… and the legend of the two midwives. One believes in the virginity of Mary; the other is sceptical. She is punished: her hand is withered then healed when she goes near Jesus. This legend is suppressed by the Catholic Reformation which prefers symbols such as the lamb brought by shepherds, those that evoke Christ’s future sacrifice.

... AND IN THIS ONE 

Nativity; 1524; miniature on vellum from a French Book of Hours; manuscript MMW 10 F 33; Museum Meermano Westreenianum, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague

Museum Meermanno

 The Nativity represents the worship of the Christ Child.

It figures a new-born baby, either naked and placed on some linen, or swaddled. He is brightly lit as if he himself were the source of light; Mary and Joseph worship him, most frequently on their knees.

Since the Gospel speaks about the coming of shepherds, they have their place in the Adoration of the child though they were ill-advised in the intimacy of the delivery. The shepherds are often musicians and so echo the angels. Like the magi they bring presents: a lamb, a flute and a shepherd’s crook, that is to say a long shepherd’s stick. Shepherdesses sometimes follow them, and offer some milk and poultry.

 From the 17^th century, this scene has been accompanied by many angels; beasts have disappeared or are hidden and Joseph points at Jesus for the shepherds, Mary remains in prayer.

 The Adoration dominated then replaced the Nativity at the end of the Middle-Ages to exalt the Virgin Mary.
Artists wish to suppress the pains of the confinement that makes Mary an ordinary woman and they use the visions of St Bridget as a basis to render the birth supernatural. The Adoration becomes an epiphany, that is to say a manifestation of God, and a few works of art represent God the Father and the dove of the Holy Ghost above the Child God as on the day of Christ’s baptism.

Not be confused with

The biblical narrative

The Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be registered with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

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.

An angel announces to the shepherds “For to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord...

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2:4-14)

 Comment

 The narrative of the birth of Jesus is important since Christians believe it is God who becomes flesh, not by a mere miracle but, like any human being, by being born of a woman.

Whereas Joseph and Mary come from Nazareth in Galilee, the birth at Bethlehem in Judae makes Jesus a new David, also born at Bethlehem.

See similar pictures

Further developments