25 December
Hand-painted icon of the Nativity of Christ
In the middle of a mountain a dark cave opens; in the cave, a manger shaped like a tomb; in the manger, the Child wrapped in swaddling bands. The Byzantine Christmas icon is no idyllic scene: at a single glance it tells of the birth, the Passion and the light that overcomes darkness.
Figures and symbols
- The Mother of God lying on a red mantle, at the centre of the composition: she is the largest figure, because the mystery is fulfilled through her.
- The Child in the manger, with swaddling bands that recall burial cloths; beside him the ox and the ass, after Isaiah's words: «The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib» (Isaiah 1:3).
- The black cave: the world in darkness into which the Light enters.
- The ray of the star descending from the segment of heaven onto the cave.
- The angels worshipping and announcing to the shepherds; the magi arriving on horseback with their gifts.
- Bottom left, Saint Joseph, pensive, before an old shepherd who, according to tradition, plants doubt in him.
- Bottom right, the midwives bathing the Child: a sign of his full humanity.
For whom
The Nativity icon is the Christmas gift par excellence, but also an icon for a birth, for a growing family, for a church or chapel wishing for an icon for the Christmas season. Churches following the Julian calendar celebrate it on 7 January. Like every icon by Concetta Basile, it is fully gilded with 23¾ karat gold, with inscriptions in Greek or Latin, and is commissioned with an offering proportionate to the time and materials of the work.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Joseph set apart in the Nativity icon?
To show that he is not the natural father of the Child: the birth is God's work. The old man speaking to him represents doubt, sometimes identified with the tempter; Joseph listens but remains faithful.
How do I commission a feast icon?
In the configurator choose «Liturgical feast» and enter the name of the feast; the number of figures can be changed. In the conversation with Concetta Basile you agree together on composition, size and inscriptions.