Nativity, or the birth of Christ, is more often talked about as the Christmas story. It is one of the most depicted events in art history as well as in modern western culture. Mary and the baby Jesus, Joseph and to a large extent the three wise men are the most common motives in this type of depictions, not only today but since the early days of Christianity.

It is recounted twice in the New Testament in the gospels of Luke and Matthew. The stories told are dissimilar but not contradictory. Put together, however, they form a more complete description of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Although depictions and scenes from Christmas and Nativity have been one of the most common subjects in the arts for hundreds of years, it is interesting how the three wise men, or Magi, have been given a major part in so many of these images and been depicted in the very earliest art.

The Gospels

The Gospel of Luke describes how the Virgin Mary is visited by the archangel Gabriel and told that she will bear and give birth to a child who is the Son of God, and that his name will be Jesus (this is also known as the Annunciation). Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register with the census under Quirinius, following a decree from Caesar Augustus. When it is time to give birth, Mary and Joseph find no inn, instead taking shelter in a stable where Jesus is born.

The Gospel of Matthew adds the story of the three wise men – magi – who follows a star to the birthplace of Jesus and present him with the famous gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh. They later learn of Herod’s plans to kill the child along with all children below the age of two from Bethlehem, prompting the family’s flight into Egypt.

Nativity in Art

We know that pictures of Nativity have been present in the arts since before emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, making Christian worship legal. In other words, depictions of nativity in art date back to at least the 4th century. Most of the earliest art typically depict the visitation of the magi, as this was likely celebrated more strongly than Christmas itself at the time.

Later images often center on the mother and child, sometimes including Joseph, although the biblical magi still occur frequently in modern Christmas scenes in many countries.