A Child Is Born, Isaiah 9:6 Nativity Wall Art

What is painted

Mary sits on a rough stone block softened by a folded blanket, wrapped in a deep blue mantle over a white gown. She holds the swaddled baby close against her, her head bent toward his. Joseph stands just behind her in a rust red cloak, one hand on his tall staff, the other resting on her shoulder as he leans in to look.

On the left a gray donkey lies in the straw, and behind them rises a simple wooden post with a crossbeam, an olive sprig caught against it. Below the picture, in brown script: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given”, and Isaiah 9:6. The watercolor is drawn with fine ink lines and fresh washes on warm white paper.

Isaiah's promise of a child

Isaiah spoke in Jerusalem in a time of war and fear, when the kingdom of Judah was threatened by powerful neighbors. Chapter 9 begins with light: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Then comes the reason, a child.

The full verse goes on: “and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Verse 7 adds that there shall be no end to his peace upon the throne of David. Christians have always read these lines as fulfilled in Jesus, born of David's line in David's town.

Handel set the verse as one of the best loved choruses of Messiah, and it is read every year at services of lessons and carols. The donkey, like the ox, is not mentioned by Luke; it belongs to the long tradition of Nativity scenes.

For Christmas, and for a new baby

This christmas wall art suits a living room or entry for the season, and because it shows a family with a newborn, many people keep it up all year, or give it to new parents, at a baptism or for a first Christmas. It fits Catholic and Protestant homes alike.

As Christian wall art it is tender and uncluttered, in blue, rust and cream. The Christian poster is printed on demand in the US on thick archival matte paper, shipped free within the US, and delivered without a frame, with paper left around the image. Sizes run from 5x7 to 24x36, plus metric and A sizes, or as a digital file.