"...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 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 in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." Luke 1:26-27 ASV
<p>Detail of New Testament illustration showing the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. Gabriel holds a lily, a symbol of the Virgin Mary.

The Annunciation, Detail View

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

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee. But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Luke 1:26-33 ASV
<p>Illustration shows the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. Gabriel floats above the floor. He has large winds and hold a lily, the traditional symbol for Mary. Gabriel raises his right hand in blessing. Mary kneels on the floor, her hands pressed together and head downward.

The Annunciation, Gabriel Appears to Mary

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

This is an illustration of The Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appears to the Blessed Virgin Mary to inform her of her impending pregnancy. Mary sits near a prayer book, her arms crossed, surrounded by flowers, as Gabriel approaches via a set of stairs. Two doves sit on the railing. The countryside is pictured in the background on the left side of the illustration.

The Annunciation: The Angel Gabriel Appears to the Virgin Mary

This is an illustration of The Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appears to the Blessed Virgin Mary…

Jesus sits at the right hand of God and a dove, the Holy Spirit, hovers above them. Gathered around them are the apostles, Moses, and the Virgin Mary. There are also several angels and cherubim surrounding and within the group.

The Apostles, Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven

Jesus sits at the right hand of God and a dove, the Holy Spirit, hovers above them. Gathered around…

A border with various illustrations from the Passion of Christ, including carrying the cross, washing the disciples' feet, and being laid in a tomb. A man, presumably Luke, who is often portrayed holding a book, is standing on the left side of the border holding a quill and book. The Blessed Virgin Mary is standing on the right side of the border with her arms folded on her chest. This illustration appears at the beginning of the book of Acts in a Martin Luther translation of the New Testament.

Border Illustrating the Passion of Christ

A border with various illustrations from the Passion of Christ, including carrying the cross, washing…

"And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.

39 And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds." John 19:38-39 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus lying on the ground as his mother, Mary, weeps over him. Joseph of Arimathaea is removing the crown of thorns and Nicodemus is mourning behind Jesus' head. Three other women are also on their knees, mourning Jesus' death. The ground is wet with Jesus' blood.

Jesus is Taken Down from the Cross and is Attended by Mary, Joseph of Arimathaea, and Nicodemus

"And after these things Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the…

"So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb wherein was never man yet laid. There then because of the Jews' Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus." John 19:40-42 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus' body being laid in the tomb after being wrapped in linens and anointed with oil and perfume. One man lowers Jesus' upper body into the tomb, while another holds a torch. Cloth is laid underneath him and flows down the sides of the sepulchre. A woman drapes herself over the body. His mother, Mary, and two other women huddle in the corner.

Jesus' Body is Prepared for Burial and Laid in a Sepulchre

"So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the…

"this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain." Luke 23:52-53 ASV
<p>Illustration of John, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, the Virgin Mary, and Joseph of Arimathea placing the body of Jesus into an open tomb.

The Body of Jesus is Placed in a Tomb

"this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in a…

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 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." Luke 2: 25-32 KJV <p>Illustration of Simeon holding Jesus in his arms and prophesying. Mary and Joseph stand next to him. Joseph is holding a cage with two turtle doves inside. A prophetess named Anna stands next to Simeon. A domed arch frames Simeon. Onlookers stand to either side.

Simeon Prophesies When Jesus is Presented at the Temple

"And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout,…

The coin (front) bears the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation. It was issued by Charles VI of France and by Henry V and Henry VI of England. It weighs approximately 54 grains.

Salute - a Golden Coin (Obverse)

The coin (front) bears the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation. It was issued by…

The coin (front) bears the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation. The back of the coin is decorated with a Christian cross. It was issued by Charles VI of France and by Henry V and Henry VI of England. It weighs approximately 54 grains.

Salute, a Golden Coin (Reverse)

The coin (front) bears the image of the Virgin Mary receiving Gabriel's salutation. The back of the…

"And with him they crucify two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left." Mark 15:27 ASV
<p>Illustration of Jesus on the cross with a robber on his left and right. Mary Magdalene is at Jesus' feet. Jesus' mother, Mary, stands at the foot of the cross with another woman. Soldiers cast lots for Jesus' clothing (left). A soldier with a spear stands beside the cross.

The Crucifixion of Jesus with Two Robbers

"And with him they crucify two robbers; one on his right hand, and one on his left." Mark 15:27 ASV…

"And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth." Luke 1:39-40 ASV
<p>Illustration of Mary arriving at the home of her cousin, Elizabeth. Elizabeth kneels at Mary's feet. To the left, a man emerges from the home with arms open. To the right, a man waits outside the entrance to the courtyard.

The Visitation - Mary Arrives at Elizabeth's Home

"And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; and entered…