The Nativity - From the Gospels of Matthew and Luke

by Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson

An illustrated version of the birth of Jesus Christ, taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Religion, Christian, Art, Catholic

Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book on the nativity! 🕊

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sanderson dedicated this book "To the Masterjohn family and for the members of my parish, the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Worcester, Massachusetts." Her reverence and love of community shine through this telling of the birth of Christ. Her illustrations are both iconographic and inspired by medieval illuminations. The text is simple and straightforward, coming straight from the biblical text without elaboration. Not to be missed.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated in the style of Old Masters of the Renaissance. The text is set in decorated boxes, and each illustration is surrounded by a decorated border. This version depicts the wise men visiting the Holy family in a house, rather than stable, and Jesus is a toddler rather than newborn. Sanderson also includes the flight to Egypt, and ends with Jesus growing, becoming strong and filled with wisdom, with God's favor upon him. Throughout the book, Mary, joseph and Jesus all have halos behind their heads.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of scripture (in KJV) included:
*The Annunciation
*Birth from Luke 2 and shepherds
*Wise men, flight to Egypt, return to Galilee from Matthew (and the massacre of the innocents is mentioned)

The illuminated manuscript-like illustrations here are really beautiful, and I especially appreciated that Jesus grows in what we think are accurate ways. And the wise men visit a house! The angels and host are portrayed as pretty feminine, though.

The borders repeat, and there might be themes (angels, travel, etc.) to when they repeat, but it's not entirely clear.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The annunciation, trip to Bethlehem, birth, shepherds, wise men, flight to Egypt, slaughter of the innocents, and return to Nazareth.

Uses traditional wording for the stories, but blends from Luke to Matthew and back again.

There's no illustration for the slaughter, which should reduce its impact on children.

The illustrations are in the style of illuminations, with gold halos for our main characters.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Stays true to the bible story. As far as the murder of all the children age 2 and under by kind Herod, the book says, "And being warned of God in a dream that they (the three kings) should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." So this book is suitable for young children. Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus all have halos on their heads in all of the illustrations (as seen on the cover).

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Sanderson makes beautifully detailed illustrations to accompany the Biblical text. I especially love that Baby Jesus is a toddler when the wise men visit. Accuracy!

[JW Schlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

original Nativity story with beautiful illustrations.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect retelling of the gospels!

[Timothy Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year, I reread this delightful book. This year, I noted the flowers in the paintings and the echoing of the themes, like the women with children in the background of Joseph's and Mary's arrival in Bethlehem, and the star out the window in the arrival of the Magi. Sanderson's subject matter is more often fantasy, so her pictures lean in that direction, but they are still tastefully in keeping with the artistic traditions of the middle ages. I could wish for an artistic rendition that is more grounded in realism, but the traditions surrounding Sanderson's renditions save them from subjectivity.

Once again, this book is inspiring. Sanderson's illustrations, stylized as they are, remain reminiscent of medieval manuscript illumination. Her detail draws in the reader and creates a perfect setting for the gospel story. Books like this are rare, that is, books that give the Christmas Scriptures to tell the authentic story in its authentic form. The pictures are a wonderful interpretation of the RSV text. I am amazed that every Bible publisher does not do a book similar to this with their own translation. It would be over-kill, but it would make so much sense.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1993, this book follows holy scripture in word and art beginning with the Angel Gabriel's announcement, Mary acceptance of the Lord's Word, and the journey to Bethlehem. Beautiful art depicts the birth of Christ and the appearance of the angels to the shepherds and the visit from the magi. But the story does not end here, it continues as the holy family is warned of Herod's plan and departs from Bethlehem and their later return to Nazareth where the Christ child spends his youth.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book Amazing ilustrations
Tks Nikki

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute masterpiece. Only thing is, I don't know if Sanderson realized that Gabriel is a male and that angels are male, not female.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

art, kjv