• The Nativity

The Nativity

Window Description:

A window with the Nativity, located on the west wall above the baptismal font, begins chronologically the stained glass program at St. John's catholic Chapel. In it, we see a youthful Virgin Mary cradling her newborn son on her knee as she lovingly gazes upon him. Behind her, St. Joseph looks concernedly down upon the infant. The baby Jesus does not return his parents' gazes but rather looks intently to the shepherd in front of him who kneels before him in wonderment and adoration. The shepherd is dressed in skins and rustic clothing, the signs of his profession. Next to him are an elderly man, a woman (identified as such by her headdress) and a boy who holds a sheep. Traditionally Christian art depicts the shepherds at Christ's nativity as male. The inclusion here of a woman as well as individuals of varying ages may have been intended to reflect the diverse visitors and families that come to St. John's Catholic Chapel. The shepherd "family" certainly makes a fitting counterpart to the Holy Family. The location of the image of the Nativity in the sanctuary near the high altar and its presentation suggests a correspondence between the shepherds and congregation: the shepherds who meet the baby Jesus in the window are similar to the faithful who encounter him in the Eucharist on the steps below. Moreover, the window with its theme of new life harmonizes well with the baptismal font, which is directly below it.

In the window the Nativity does not transpire inside the manger but rather in front of it. The placement of the event outside, rather than inside, as told by the Gospels, is consistent with artistic practice. Since the late Middle Ages artists have tended to situate the birth of Christ either outside of the manger or in the doorway leading to it so as to capture better the event. In the case of the window the architectural setting is little more than a backdrop to the action. The artist has included only those elements necessary to denote a manger: a cart with hay, wall, overhang and column.

Some details in the window might serve a symbolic role. For instance the column above Joseph and Mary might represent his miraculous birth. The Pseudo-Bonaventure in his Meditationes, a thirteenth-century exposition of the life of Christ, likens Mary to a column because she did not feel pain while giving birth. Based on this and related texts artist often include a column in Nativity scenes. The nearness of the column to Mary suggests that it is more than just part of the building and is symbolic. The colors worn by Mary could be read symbolically as well: the white head scarf could denote her virginity and dark blue robe could signal her inevitable sorrow at the Crucifixion, the event pictured in the adjacent window.

At the top of window heraldic angels hold a banderole-an unfurled roll-that says "Glory to God in the highest; and peace to men of good will." (Luke 2: 14) Below, in an elaborate cartouche, is the message ""For this day is born to a savior who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2: 11) The angel of the Lord speaks these quotes (along with a multitude of the "heavenly army" for the first) to the shepherds in order to announce the birth of Christ. Thus they are perfect verbal accompaniments to the imagery.

--Paula Carns, M.S., Ph.D.