Here are 10 Christmas images that capture the beauty and simplicity of the Nativity to bring you joy and a greater understanding of Our Savior.

Georges de la Tour, Adoration of the Shepherds

This painting perfectly captures the image of the shepherds silently worshipping the Christ Child. His entire life was marked with humility, and even His birth was announced first not to kings or governors, but to simple, lowly shepherds. In presenting an example of humility, Christ is teaching us the antidote to sin. Through living a life infused with humble service to God and our fellow man, we will come to know the peace of Christ, and we will be His hands and feet in bringing His “joy to the world.” The first to recognize Christ are the lowly and humble, like these shepherds. Can we recognize Him amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives? During Advent and Christmas, it would be good for us to slow down and take the time to let His humility infuse our lives with a quiet joy.

Duccio, “Maesta”

What immediately stands out in this picture is that the “ox and the ass” are right by the manger, looking at Jesus. Theologians have said that these two, while they were indeed literal animals that were at the manger, can also be seen in a spiritual way as representing the Jews and the Gentiles. The entire world comes to kneel at the feet of its Savior. While we humans are good at separating ourselves into “us versus them,” God alone has the power to unite all of humanity in a single family of love. No one is excluded from the Church that Christ established, and the salvation that He won for us through His life, death, and Resurrection.

Fra Filippo Lippi, Adoration in the Forest

It is unusual for a Nativity scene to include such a striking image of the Father and the Holy Spirit, but it is appropriate. Although it was only the Son Who became incarnate, the Persons of the Holy Trinity always act together. It was an act of love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that prompted the Incarnation, and it is into that love that God invites us. The story of salvation history is the story of God inviting humanity into His family of love that is the Holy Trinity.

Giovanni di Francesco, Nativity

In this Nativity scene, the sturdy and reliable stable and manger are contrasted with a dilapidated brick wall that looks to be in ruin. What a fitting metaphor for Christmas! The human race, spiritually falling apart and destined for eternal separation from God due to our sins, is repaired and made whole by the coming of the Messiah. That was the sole purpose of Christ’s coming: to repair what we had broken with sin. He wants to heal the wounds of not only the whole human race but of each individual, including you and me.

Fra Angelico, Fresco in the Convent of San Marco

In religious art, most commonly Our Lord and His Mother have halos, but in this image, everyone is featured with a halo. When Christ comes into your life, He transforms all of your relationships: with your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, spouse. Everything is different when Christ is as the center of your life. People can’t help but notice the difference. Christ wants not only to transform you but through you to touch others and to bring His love into their lives as well. During Advent and Christmas, how can you bring Christ’s love to those around you?

Perugino, The Nativity

We are used to seeing images of Christmas involving a manger full of fresh yellow hay, a cozy cave or even a barn, and Jesus wrapped up in warm swaddling clothes. In this image, however, the stable appears to be no more than a bare frame that offers little protection, and the Christ Child is not bundled up, but lying on top of a simple piece of cloth that isn’t keeping Him warm. Regardless of what the actual historical facts of the Nativity may have been, this painting should remind us to remain detached from worldly goods. All throughout His life, Jesus demonstrated to us the way of detachment: we may use the goods of the world, but not love them more than God or neighbor. Even in His birth in a humble stable, Jesus practiced spiritual and literal poverty, and we can do the same by giving of our time, abilities and even financial blessings for those less fortunate during the Christmas season.

Bernardino Pinturicchio, Adoration of the Christ Child

In this image, Jesus seems to be positively straining to be held by Mary or Joseph. Isn’t this what His incarnation was all about? God is straining to reach us, but we often can’t hear Him over the noise and discord of our sin. Through becoming man and lowering Himself down to our level, God cuts through all the barriers we put up due to our sin and selfishness and touches our humanity on the deepest level. Only through His grace can we rise from our condition of original sin and allow Him to hold us in His arms.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Nativity

As the head of the Holy Family, Saint Joseph would have had the awesome responsibility of taking care of Jesus and Mary, and this painting shows him doing that beautifully. He appears to be on the lookout, craning his neck to cast a wary eye on the crowd of people coming to see Jesus. How humble of God to be willing to put Himself in the care of a mere human being. He didn’t have to make Himself so vulnerable, so dependent on others, but He chose to, out of love for us. During this Advent and Christmas season, we can learn from Jesus’ humility, and not be afraid to ask for help from others. In doing so, we are not only acknowledging our own dependence and need for help, but we are also offering to others an opportunity to do good to their neighbor.

What is your favorite Christmas image? Leave a comment!