The Birth of Our Lord - Maronite Icon of the Nativity

"Behold, a virgin, shall be with a child, and bear a Son and they shall call His name Emmanuel," which is translated, "God with us." (Mt 1:23; Is 7:14)

Description of the Icon

This icon of the Nativity is in honor of the Virgin Mary and her unique role in the mystery of the Incarnation. Around the oval mandala, containing the representation of the Nativity, depicted in decorative form, are shown many of the symbols of Our Lady and of the Incarnation that are found in the Holy Scriptures and described in the old Syriac Hymns of the Church, especially those of St. Ephraim. The angels, descending form heaven, act as attendants at this Holy Birth and as deacons at this sacramental mystery. Their hands are covered with cloths, in reverence and service to the Christ Child. Two angels reach down from heaven to announce the good news of the birth of a Savior; the simple, poor shepherds gladly respond. Joseph contemplates the awesomeness of this event. God is born a man.

Matthew, 1:16
 From the time after the exile in Babylon to the birth of Jesus the following ancestors are listed: ...Jacob, and Joseph, who married Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was called the Messiah.

The New Revised Standard Version of Matthew 2:1-12 describes the visit of the Magi:

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.