"The Nativity" is a well-recognized painting by the famous Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. The newborn Christ is centered in the composition, making a gesture of benediction. The rolled sheaves of wheat symbolizes both the location (Bethlehem means “city of bread”) and His sacrificed body commemorated in the Eucharist.
At the left, a whitebearded St. Joseph leans upon his walking stick as he looks down upon the Child whereas to the right, is the Virgin Mary along with little St. John the Baptist, kneeling before baby Christ, with their hands clasped in prayer. Above, in front of the gable of this bucolic cathedral three ethereal angels hover, singing the Lord’s praise from a shared hymnal.
