"So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." Genesis 3:24 ASV
<p>Illustration of Adam and Eve as they are sent away from the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life. Both are wearing animal skins and Adam is covering his face. Two angels, both holding swords, stand in front of a tree. A dog stands next to the angels.One angel points Adam and Eve away from the garden. The serpent is at Eve's feet with its mouth open. God is pictured looking down from the clouds. A small, oval image of Mary holding the baby Jesus is inset above Eve's head.

Adam and Eve are Punished and Cast Out of the Garden of Eden

"So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame…

"...and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." Luke 2:9-12 KJV

<p>Illustration of three kings, or maji, worshiping Jesus and bringing him gifts. Jesus is sitting on Mary's lap. Two kings wearing crowns stand in front of Mary while a third, without a crown, kneels. Two sheep are asleep in the corner. Joseph and a donkey stand behind a low fence. Servants and a camel stand off to the side.The star in the east shines on to the scene.

Kings from the East Worship the Baby Jesus

"...and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where…

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 KJV

Wise Men of the East Presenting Their Gifts

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down,…

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2: 15-16 KJV
<p>Illustration of the shepherds arriving at the stable where Jesus is lying in a manger. Mary kneels next to him and Joseph stands at the manger's side. A bull and calf are curled up in the foreground. The shepherds, young and old, arrive through an opening in a low wall and kneel before the manger. One shepherd has removed his hat and laid down his staff.

The Shepherds Arrive to Worship the Baby Jesus

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to…

"And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger." Luke 2:15-16 ASV
<p>Illustration of the shepherds' arrival soon after Jesus' birth. One kneels, one bows, and one stands in the background with a sheep over his shoulders. Angels are depicted overhead, along with the Star of Bethlehem.

The Adoration of the Shepherds at the Birth of Jesus

"And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,…

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus." Luke 1:26-31 KJV

<p>Illustration of the Virgin Mary praying at an altar in her room as the archangel Gabriel approaches her to tell her she will give birth to Jesus. Gabriel is knelt on a cloud, his left arm raised. He is holding an olive branch. Above Mary's head, a dove is flying out of a cloud and a shaft of light glows down on Mary's head. A vase with lilies in it sits on the floor.

The Annunciation - the Angel Gabriel Approaches Mary while She is Praying

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,…

"Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt." Matthew 2:13-14 ASV
<p>Illustration of Joseph leading a donkey carrying Mary and the baby Jesus into Egypt. The family is fleeing from King Herod. Joseph holds a staff in his hand and palm trees are depicted on the left.

The Flight into Egypt - Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Flee from King Herod

"Now when they were departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise…

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men." Matthew 2:16 KJV

Killing the Male Children under the Age of Two

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and…

"Virgin and Child. By Albrecht Dürer. Engraving of the year 1507." -Heath, 1901

Virgin and Child

"Virgin and Child. By Albrecht Dürer. Engraving of the year 1507." -Heath, 1901

This is a drawing that comes from the English Illustrated Magazine in 1892. It was created by English artist Louis Davis. It seems to depict Baby Jesus and Mary with three angels surrounding them.

English Illustrated Magazine

This is a drawing that comes from the English Illustrated Magazine in 1892. It was created by English…

This is a drawing that comes from the English Illustrated Magazine in 1892. It was created by English artist Louis Davis. It seems to depict Baby Jesus and Mary with three angels surrounding them.

English Illustrated Magazine

This is a drawing that comes from the English Illustrated Magazine in 1892. It was created by English…

"...and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which is spoken against; yea and a sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35 ASV
<p>Illustration of Simeon prophesying as he holds the baby Jesus in his arms in the temple. Mary reaches out to cradle Jesus in her arms as Joseph stands by, holding a basket. A woman kneels behind Simeon. A priest stands in the background. The scene takes place during the presentation of Jesus at the temple.

The Prophecy of Simeon at the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

"...and Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the falling…

"Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 3And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against." Luke 2:28-34 KJV

Simeon Taking the Child in His Arms

"Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart…

An engraving of St. Christopher crossing the river carrying Jesus on his back.

St. Christopher

An engraving of St. Christopher crossing the river carrying Jesus on his back.