{"id":1262,"date":"2022-12-20T06:00:31","date_gmt":"2022-12-20T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?p=1262"},"modified":"2025-04-09T16:27:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T20:27:20","slug":"christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Reflections &#8211; The Christmas Story in Art"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;30&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;30&#8243; row_hide_sm=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_md=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_xs=&#8221;yes&#8221; css_zindex=&#8221;999&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1706724243714{background-color: #faf5eb !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container-fluid row_section vc_row_cp_lr_15 vc_row_cp_t_0 vc_row_cp_b_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-15 rdy_vc_row-o-equal-height rdy_vc_row-flex vc_row-6953b079dcdf6751646368\"   style=' text-align:left; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-4 vc_column_container_6953b079dcf0b323789451\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\r\n\t<div class=\"wpb_single_image wpb_single_image_1 wpb_content_element vc_align_left\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\" target=\"_self\"><div class=\"vc_single_image-wrapper   vc_box_border_grey\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1458\" height=\"217\" src=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ASI-Logo.Horiz_.RGB-150r.png\" class=\"vc_single_image-img attachment-full\" alt=\"\" title=\"ASI Logo.Horiz.RGB 150r\" \/><\/div><\/a>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-8 vc_column_container_6953b079dd355378279518 column_vertical_align_bottom\" style=\"text-align:right;z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t  <style>\n\/* Style The Dropdown Button *\/\n.dropbtn2 {\n  background-color: #faf5eb;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 10px 14px 10px 14px;\n  text-align: center;\n  font-size: 12px;\n  border: none;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}\n\n\/* The container <div> - needed to position the dropdown content *\/\n.dropdown {\n  position: relative;\n  display: inline-block;\n}\n\n\/* Dropdown Content (Hidden by Default) *\/\n.dropdown-content {\n  display: none;\n  position: absolute;\n  text-align: left;\n  background-color: #f9f9f9;\n  min-width: 100px;\n  box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n  z-index: 10000;\n}\n\n\/* Links inside the dropdown *\/\n.dropdown-content a {\n  color: black;\n  padding: 12px 16px;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n\/* Change color of dropdown links on hover *\/\n.dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #f1f1f1}\n\n\/* Show the dropdown menu on hover *\/\n.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/div> \n<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/about-us\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">ABOUT US<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/philosophy-of-education\/\">Philosophy<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/history\/\">History<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/faith-commitment\/\">Faith Commitment<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/accreditation\/\">Accreditation<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/staff-and-board\/\">Staff and Board<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\">Employment<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/get-in-touch\/\">Contact Us<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">FAQ<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\" target=\"_blank\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">MEMBERS<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/member-school-benefits\/\">Member School Benefits<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/find-a-member-school\/\">Find a Member School<\/a>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\" target=\"_blank\">Member School Login<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">JOBS<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> |\n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/get-in-touch\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">CONTACT US<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/stay-in-touch\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:black;\">SIGN UP<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> | \n<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/donate\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn2\"><h5 style=\"color:#507F70;\">DONATE<\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/ways-to-give\/\">Ways to Give<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/donate\/\">Donate<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_lr=&#8221;60&#8243; custom_padding_t=&#8221;45&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;45&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1643667117141{background-image: url(https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/About-Us.jpg?id=146) !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Ambleside Schools International Articles&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h6|font_size:45|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff&#8221; font_title_responsive=&#8221;true&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;0&#8243; row_hide_sm=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_md=&#8221;yes&#8221; row_hide_xs=&#8221;yes&#8221; css_zindex=&#8221;998&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1706724252321{background-color: #003865 !important;}&#8221;][vc_column]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container row_section hidden-lg hidden-md hidden-sm hidden-xs vc_row_p_30\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953b079dd894519206169\"   style=' text-align:center; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_column_container_6953b079dd966429419199\" style=\"text-align:center;z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t  <style>\n\/* Style The Dropdown Button *\/\n.dropbtn {\n  background-color: #003865;\n  color: white;\n  padding: 20px 16px 20px 16px;;\n  text-align: center;\n  font-size: 16px;\n  border: none;\n  cursor: pointer;\n}\n\n\/* The container <div> - needed to position the dropdown content *\/\n.dropdown {\n  position: relative;\n  display: inline-block;\n}\n\n\/* Dropdown Content (Hidden by Default) *\/\n.dropdown-content {\n  display: none;\n  position: absolute;\n  text-align: left;\n  background-color: #f9f9f9;\n  min-width: 200px;\n  box-shadow: 0px 8px 16px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);\n  z-index: 10000;\n}\n\n\/* Links inside the dropdown *\/\n.dropdown-content a {\n  color: black;\n  padding: 12px 16px;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n\/* Change color of dropdown links on hover *\/\n.dropdown-content a:hover {background-color: #f1f1f1}\n\n\/* Show the dropdown menu on hover *\/\n.dropdown:hover .dropdown-content {\n  display: block;\n}\n<\/div> \n<\/style>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"container-fluid row_section vc_row_cp_t_0 vc_row_cp_b_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953b079ddb06043128057\"   style=' text-align:center; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b079ddbb4676162070\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/member-schools\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Member Schools<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/find-a-member-school\/\">Find a Member School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/the-ambleside-difference\/\">The Ambleside Difference<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/curriculum\/\">Curriculum<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/employment\/\">Employment<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b079ddca3194736631\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/why-start-a-school\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\" ><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Starting a School<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/how-we-help\/\">How We Help<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/why-start-a-school\/\">Why Start a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/founding-a-school\/\">Founding a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/converting-a-school\/\">Converting a School<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/how-to-get-started\/\">How to Get Started<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b079dddb9780713791\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/training\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Education & Training<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/three-day-internship\/\">Three-Day Internship<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/summer-institute\/\">Summer Institute<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b079ddedc781896491\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschooling\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Homeschooling<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/mentor-program\/\">Mentor Program<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschooling-costs\/\">Program Costs<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-curriculum-and-resources\/\">Curriculum & Resources<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-application\/\">Application<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/homeschool-renewal-form\/\/\">Membership Renewal<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-1\/5 vc_column_container_6953b079ddfb3058038869\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_content_element wpb_raw_html\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dropdown\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\"><button class=\"dropbtn\"><h5><p style=\"color:white;\">Resources<\/p><\/h5><\/button><\/a>\n  <div class=\"dropdown-content\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\">Library<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/charlotte-mason\/\">Charlotte M. Mason<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\">Articles & Magazine<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/the-ambleside-difference\/\">Video Series<\/a>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.sharepoint.com\/sites\/ASIAllMember\">Member Resources<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row_content&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;true&#8221; custom_padding_t=&#8221;45&#8243; custom_padding_b=&#8221;45&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/4&#8243;][vc_single_image source=&#8221;featured_image&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; img_size=&#8221;stretch&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_column_text]Browse more Ambleside Schools International <strong>Resources<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;]<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\"><div class=\"container row_section vc_row_cp_lr_15 vc_row_cp_t_0\"><div  class=\"vc_row wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_column-gap-30 vc_row-6953b079de3b4983085602\"   style=' text-align:left; z-index:0;'><div class=\"row-container container-fluid\"><div class=\"row-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container vc_col-sm-12 vc_column_container_6953b079de46f967554598\" style=\"z-index:0\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner \"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b079de592703795878\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/resources\/\">Resource Library<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_2\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b079de70c728987865\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/charlotte-mason\/\">Charlotte M. Mason<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_3\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b079de814157600273\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\">Articles<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"vc_empty_space  vc_empty_space_4\"   style=\"height: 10px\" ><span class=\"vc_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"vc_custom_heading vc_custom_heading_6953b079de91e048779561\" ><h5 style=\"font-size: 17px;color: #000000;text-align: left\"><span class=\"hilight\"  ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amblesideschools.com\/main\/educator-support\" target=\"_blank\">Members<\/a><\/span><\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;3\/4&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/blog\/\"><span style=\"color: #003865;\">&gt; Return to Articles<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Christmas Reflections &#8211; The Christmas Story in Art&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23020202&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;15&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_column_text]During a visit to the National Gallery of Art, we had the privilege of learning from Dr. David Gariff, a senior lecturer at the Gallery. We walked among and reflected upon a dozen Nativity masterpieces.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the varied episodes of the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt. Drawing from the Scriptures, as well as from non-canonical writings, artists have sought not just to tell the story but to form hearts and minds. Typology, the use of representational types or symbols, was the accepted means of instruction in such sacred ideas. A lovely example of such instruction is Fra Angelico and Fra Filippo Lippi\u2019s <em>The Adoration of the Magi<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This magnificent piece contains a myriad of themes in multiple episodes. The nativity is set amid architectural ruins, representing the crumbling of the classical world. Upon these ruins stand five thin and scantily clad men, impoverished onlookers, who fail to join the rejoicing multitude processing toward the picture\u2019s focal point, Christ Jesus in the arms of his mother. The approaching worshipers all have hands clasped heavenward or palms outward in praise and amazement. Contemplative eyes are turned upward or directed toward the babe held in his mother\u2019s lap. The throng is marked by fervent devotion, seemingly absent of consciousness of self or others; they have come to adore Him.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Although set in the very center of the painting, the ox and the ass are often overlooked. The ox looks earnestly upon the Christ-child, and the adoring elder Wiseman who kneels before his King. The ass feeds fervently, looking out of the painting at the observer. He is unaware of the wonder that is occurring all around him. The artists are providing a pictorial representation of Isaiah 1:3:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master&#8217;s manger,<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>But Israel does not know,<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>My people do not understand<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Clearly, these two animals have two very different ways of relating to their master; one of devotion, the other self-satisfaction. The ox is most aware of his master. The donkey is most aware of his stomach. The eighteenth-century bishop and poet, Robert Lowth, recognized in this text Yahweh\u2019s protest that &#8220;My people doth not consider\u00a0me, doth not reflect on my relation to them as Lord and Master.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>And us? \u00a0As we ponder this masterpiece, are we like the impoverished observing from the ruins, or the processing worshippers? Are we like the ox attentive to His master, or the ass focused merely on feeding? Is our attention upon the Master and the Master\u2019s ways, or are we like Isaiah\u2019s audience, not knowing and not considering?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What ideas of Christmas have we sowed to our children, to our grandchildren, to one another through our adoration?[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_separator width_in_percentages=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;30&#8243;][vc_column_text]Image: Fra Angelico and Fra Fillippo Lippi<em>, The Adoration of the Magi, <\/em>Tempera on panel, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nga.gov\/collection\/art-object-page.41581.html\">National Gallery of Art<\/a>, Public Domain[\/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTVCeWFycHAlNUQ=[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During a visit to the National Gallery of Art, we had the privilege of learning from Dr. David Gariff, a senior lecturer at the Gallery. We walked among and reflected upon a dozen Nativity masterpieces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,16],"tags":[192,194],"class_list":["post-1262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maryellen-st-cyr","category-traditions","tag-christmas-reflections","tag-the-christmas-story"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Christmas Reflections - The Christmas Story in Art - Ambleside International<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Christmas Reflections - The Christmas Story in Art - Ambleside International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ambleside International\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-20T11:00:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-09T20:27:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"383\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"383\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"amblesideintl\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"amblesideintl\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/\",\"name\":\"Christmas Reflections - The Christmas Story in Art - Ambleside International\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-12-20T11:00:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-09T20:27:20+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/91fc796bc8676ebbc422bbf6685717cc\"},\"description\":\"As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg\",\"width\":383,\"height\":383},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Christmas Reflections &#8211; The Christmas Story in Art\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/\",\"name\":\"Ambleside International\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/91fc796bc8676ebbc422bbf6685717cc\",\"name\":\"amblesideintl\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3b0b3b48f0d028a7a6e1729024969e46c5e148b91760f5d66c6fc25664b941c5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3b0b3b48f0d028a7a6e1729024969e46c5e148b91760f5d66c6fc25664b941c5?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"amblesideintl\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/author\/amblesideintl\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Christmas Reflections - The Christmas Story in Art - Ambleside International","description":"As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Christmas Reflections - The Christmas Story in Art - Ambleside International","og_description":"As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt.","og_url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/","og_site_name":"Ambleside International","article_published_time":"2022-12-20T11:00:31+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-04-09T20:27:20+00:00","og_image":[{"width":383,"height":383,"url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"amblesideintl","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"amblesideintl","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/","name":"Christmas Reflections - The Christmas Story in Art - Ambleside International","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg","datePublished":"2022-12-20T11:00:31+00:00","dateModified":"2025-04-09T20:27:20+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/91fc796bc8676ebbc422bbf6685717cc"},"description":"As far back as the Roman catacombs, artists have depicted the Christmas story, from the annunciation to the flight into Egypt.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg","width":383,"height":383},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/christmas-reflections-the-christmas-story-in-art\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Christmas Reflections &#8211; The Christmas Story in Art"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/","name":"Ambleside International","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/91fc796bc8676ebbc422bbf6685717cc","name":"amblesideintl","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3b0b3b48f0d028a7a6e1729024969e46c5e148b91760f5d66c6fc25664b941c5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3b0b3b48f0d028a7a6e1729024969e46c5e148b91760f5d66c6fc25664b941c5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"amblesideintl"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/amblesideschools.org"],"url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/author\/amblesideintl\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Christmas-Story-in-Art.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1262"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1262\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/amblesideschools.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}