Baby Jesus and the Wise Men

Hyfforddiadau I YMDDYGIAD Defofiynol a Gweddus YNG NGHYHOEDD WASANAETH DUW; Yn fwy enwedigol yn yr Arferiad o'r WEDDIGYFFREDIN A appwyntiwyd gan EGLWRS LOEGR. "The Birth of Christ"

The Birth Of Christ

Wales, England, 1770

This printed and hand painted page of the birth of Christ is showing Mary and Joseph with the Sheperds that provide them with shelter while on their journey to Bethluhem. Inside the barn you see three Shepards to the left looking in awe at Christ. Mary and Jospeh to the right; Mary is wrapping Jesus up in drapery and Joseph is looking at a scroll, and in the middle lies baby Jesus. This image is set after Mary gives birth and in the background you can see outside the barn. There is a structure that could possibly be a home or another barn. During this time in England there was a heavy influence of French art and and a growing interest in artist from Wales and their spedif artistic styles, they valued showing landscapes, the environment, their country styled homes, and the use of color at the time.This version of “The Birth of Christ '' represents the corresponding prayer being said and displays the characteristics of Wales artist and prayer book decoration at the time. Although it was not very common this prayer book was written in Welsh, representing both the interior and exterior Welsh pride and artistry.

Le Livre des Prieres Communes et de l'Adminiftration des Sacremens, et Autres Rites & Ceremonies De l'Eglise, Selon l'Usage de L'Eglife d'Angleterre: avec le Pseautier ou les Pseaumes de David, Ponctuez Selon qu'ils doivent être Chantez ou Recitez dans les Eglises. "The Birth of Baby Jesus"

The Birth of Christ

France, 1717

This printed page with no color of the birth of Christ shows Mary, Joseph, the shepherds that provided them with shelter during their journey to Bethluhem, and two female figures in the back. Mary and Joseph stand to the left while the other four figures are to the right and one of the shepherds seems to be kneeling on one knee looking at what is beaming towards Christ. Baby Jesus, with a halo around his head, lays in the center of everyone on a bed of hay and sheets. From the opening of the barn you can see parting clouds and beaming light to represent his connection with God. During this time the French had an interest in taking inspiration from the past, nature, and creating and showing the supernatural in their art. The parting clouds and beaming sunlight represents the connection between Christ and God and the people around Jesus react as if they can see the light when in reality its a representation of his pressence.

Missale Romanum, "The Wise Men present their gifts to Christ"

The Wise Men Present Their Gifts to Jesus

This latin prayerbook included very few images in the interior, but one of the few was The Wise Men Presenting Their Gifts to Christ. To the left you see the three wise men with their gifts gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then to the right you see Mary and Jesus with halos around their heads and Joseph standing behidn them.