The Nativity

Over the centuries, the Nativity image tends to resist change in subject matter and even in composition.

The Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, is a star in Christian tradition that revealed the birth of Jesus to the magi (or "wise men") and later led them to Bethlehem.

Western art always places the birth of Christ in a stable

God used angels to proclaim the coming of the messiah, and then again to announce the birth of Jesus. God sent the angel Gabriel, specifically, to announce to Mary that she would be the mother of the Christ.

"Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest") The name is often abbreviated to Gloria in Excelsis or simply Gloria.