The Nativity

Image from: Cathedral Church of St Philip, Birmingham

The infant Christ sleeps on the rocky floor of a cave. His hands are tucked under his chin and his body is wrapped in white bedclothes. His halo is white and patterned with fleur-de-lys. Mary, in a deep-blue gown, kneels on the left before her baby. Her hands are clasped and she wears a patterned veil. Her red halo stands out against the dark interior of the cave. Joseph, her husband, depicted as an elderly man, leans on a staff. He is dressed in a red garment and his white cap is surrounded by his red halo. He gazes at the child with his hands together as if he is praying. Three angels stand behind him their hands wide apart in a gesture of adoration. They wear robes of different colours and are shown with wings and red haloes.