A Theological approach to understanding the Byzantine icon of the Nativity of Jesus Christ

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to introduce readers to the perspective of a particular icon, namely the nativity of Jesus Christ, with the hope that a viewer’s understanding will increase. Icons as devotional paintings of Christ or another holy figures, are typically finished on wood and used ritually in the Byzantine and other Eastern Churches as they represent a vista to a spiritual dimension. Icons serve important purposes and teach history, promote doctrine, guide morality and of course serve a critical role in theology. The initial part of the article is a general exposition followed by an intense analysis in Greek.

Keywords

• spirituality
• image
• likeness
• representation