The Nativity of Jesus is one of the greatest Christian feasts. Its iconography is based on the Bible, specifically the Gospel and the Apocrypha. Early images of the Nativity of Jesus date back to the 6th century. Over more than a millennium, numerous versions of the iconography have appeared.

An example of this is the icon “The Nativity of Jesus” from the collection of the Andrei Rublev Museum. The events depicted in this composition take place in various regions and time periods. This version was popular at the turn of the 17th century. It was painted as the main icon of the Nativity Church in Kalyazin, following the distinctive traditions of the Volga region icon painting.

In the center of the image, the Virgin Mary is depicted against the background of a cave, with the Christ Child lying in a crib in front of Her. Mary’s relaxed and serene pose is a reference to the Immaculate Conception. Mary was free from the pains of labor, unlike the sinful daughters of Eve. Angels worship Christ at the entrance to the cave. A scene of the Newborn being bathed is depicted nearby. The Holy Family, including the Child Jesus, flees to Egypt.

During his lifetime, King Herod was known as a successful ruler, but eventually he went down in history as a murderer of innocent children. Herod ordered the execution of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old based on a prophecy that the Messiah would be one of them.

The Holy Family, including the Child Jesus, left Israel during the Massacre and fled to Egypt. God also spared another infant, John the Baptist, who later baptized Jesus. Legend has it that he was also searched for, and his father was tortured and killed, while his mother took him to a deserted area where they found refuge. John the Baptist lived in the wilderness until he became a prophet. The karst caves near Bethlehem remain a popular pilgrimage site. Their walls are covered in white limestone veins. In the Middle Ages, they were regarded as the traces of milk of mothers who lost their children.

The Biblical Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men and Three Kings, walked a long way to pay homage to the Savior. They followed the star that appeared in the sky over Bethlehem. On their way, they met King Herod who asked them to return and reveal the location of the Child. After visiting Christ, the Magi saw a dream. An angel warned them to return to their country by another path.