Description

This elaborate Christmas icon depicts various events surrounding the birth of Christ. The Mother of God sits centrally in the opening of a cave, the Christ Child lies on a table in front of her. She receives gifts from the three wise men from the east. At the bottom left is Joseph, he is plagued by doubt. There are several explanations for the old man standing next to Joseph: the most common is that the old man is a desert dweller who reassures Joseph. To the right are shepherds hearing the news of the birth of angels.