THE NATIVITY.
Merson, Plate 8, has illustrated Luke 2:4-7. "And Joseph went up from Galilee into Judea unto the city of David, Bethlehem, to be enrolled, with Mary his espoused wife. And there was no room for them in the inn." Darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people who refused lodging to such as Mary, but that night the glory of the Lord was revealed. (Is. 60:2.)
Plockhörst, Plate 14, illustrates Luke 2:8-11. And in the same country were shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night. And the angel of the Lord came and said unto them, "Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord." The angel bears a palm branch, symbol of triumph. (John 12:13.)
Hofmann, Plate 13, shows a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14.) They are the first to visit the manger!
Lerolle, Plate 11, shows the shepherds who "came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:15-16.) The shepherds saw, evidently from some little distance; for we have no record of their speaking to Mary or Joseph, only to others outside, after the visit. (Luke 2:17-18.)
Correggio, Plate 9, has expressed that surprise and wonder of the shepherds which they imparted to others when they told their story, "for all that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds." (Luke 2:18.)
Bouguereau, Plate 10, adds to the story a dramatic touch. There are ominous shadows in the background. Mary seems troubled by the presence of the lamb, symbol of sacrifice. The angel had said "He shall save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21.) Does Mary seem already to behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world? (John 1:29.) One lamb is already slain, and lies in the foreground. The shepherd with the lamb in his arms may unconsciously illustrate the Christ (Is. 40:11), and the odd disk above the head of the older shepherd, catching the light from the child, may be prophetic of saintly glory.
Müller, Plate 12, gives us perhaps the prettiest, most sweetly human group of all. Some of the shepherds have arrived, others are coming; one with a lamb in his arms, another with his dogs, who seem to sympathize with their master's joyous haste. The rose of the hills, and the violet of the meadows are there as symbols of the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley (Cant. 2:1); "The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his master's crib," and in this case the humble representatives of Israel know also, and the people consider. (Is. 1:3.)
