Nativity of Christ Card Set
$15.00
This set of Christmas holiday greeting cards with envelops features a mixed media artwork of the Nativity of Christ. Each card presents the announcement of Christ’s birth. This card set is printed on heavy-weight metallic cardstock. The back of each card is printed with the story of the icon of Christ’s birth, my signature and website address.
Set includes 6 cards and 6 white envelopes in a clear cellophane sleeve. Notecards measure approximately 4.25 x 5.5 inches.
11 in stock
CARD ARTWORK & TEXTS
The Nativity of Christ by Michelle L Hofer — pen and ink drawing with chalk pastel and Swarovski crystal on paper, 2011
Interior card greeting: A Savior has been born to you — He is Christ the LORD
Image explanation on back of card: IT BEGS THE QUESTION...
The Nativity of Christ is based in the icon tradition of early Christian art. While most elements in this artwork easily correlate with modern nativity arrangements - angels, shepherds, Mary, Joseph, the Christ child, the star, and the stable animals - there are a few notably different features worth explaining. In the top right corner an angel proclaims the “good news” of Christ’s birth to a lowly shepherd. Note the staff held by the angel - a symbol of authority in carrying this message directly from God. Two angels, opposite, whose hands are draped in cloths are bent in praise and adoration. Here is a very ancient custom whereby any common person who received an audience with a king was required to cover his/her hands to spare the king the unpleasant experience of seeing the calloused, dirty hands of a working class individual. Here it signals to the viewer that the baby is royalty - a King. We also see a second shepherd playing flute in adoration.
Christ’s ultimate mission are hinted at: swaddling cloths that resemble grave cloths, a cross filled halo, and a lamb reminding us of John the Baptist’s words, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
But the heart of The Nativity of Christ is the interaction between Mary, Joseph and the old man in the shaggy coat kneeling in front of Joseph. Note that neither Mary nor Joseph gazes in amazement at the miracle God-child as many nativities portray them. Instead, we see Mary quietly focused on her husband who is seemingly engaged in a conversation with the old man. What’s going on here? The old man represents God’s adversary, ever so gently planting the seed of doubt in Joseph. Perhaps he asks, “Do you really want to get involved with this Mary and her baby? Why not quietly divorce yourself from them?” Mary watches and waits for Joseph’s answer.
Joseph represents each of us. Each of us in facing doubt must answer the question, “Do you really want anything to do with this baby?” Mary often represents the church in icon art. Christ’s church watches and waits for our answer . . . as does Christ himself.
