"The Nativity Scene"

This piece of jewelry reflects the event of the holy Christmas day, which is honored by the memory of infinite love, which did not spare Its Son for the salvation of the human race. The three–leaf fold is made in the form of a nativity scene, the greatest Christian shrine, the place where the Savior Christ was born. When folded, the fold looks like a small cave-like casket, above which burns the shining star of Bethlehem with singing Angels in honor of the sounds of heavenly singing, which were heard by the first people who learned about Christmas: "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:14). The folding doors can be read as a symbol of the entrance to a new world, and the vines with clusters twining around the casket are a symbol of the Sacrament of Communion. The fold opens not with three icons, but with three parts of a single icon of the Nativity of Christ. The description of this plot is reflected in the Gospel of Luke, where the events were preceded by the decree of Emperor Augustus on the census, therefore the Blessed Virgin and the righteous Joseph, descended from the family of David, had to go to Bethlehem (the city of David) to add their names to the list of subjects of Caesar.: "Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to register with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth; and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:4-7). On the central icon is a folding image of the Virgin Mary and Joseph, bowed at the manger of the Infant. The words of the Nativity canon "Christ is born" frame the icon: "Christ is born, give thanks. Christ from Heaven, come on. Christ is on earth, ascending. Sing to the Lord, all the earth, and sing with joy, O people, for you are glorified." On the side doors there is an image of shepherds and a triad of magi. Both of these symbolic groups of characters symbolize Jesus from two positions.: as a revered King and as the Son of Man, born into a simple family. The humble pastors were the first to be honored to worship the Savior, and an Angel of the Lord appeared to them and said: "Do not be afraid, for I bring you great good news, which will be to all people, for today you will have a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David." The outline of the sash is a canon to the Nativity of Christ: "I see a strange and glorious mystery: the sky is a nativity scene, the cherubic throne is a Virgin, the manger is a receptacle, in which lies the irreplaceable Christ God, whom we glorify." In addition to the angelic gospel to the shepherds of Bethlehem, the Nativity of Christ was announced by a miraculous star to the magi – Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar. "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with very great joy, and entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary his Mother, and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures, they brought gifts to him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:9-11). Along the contour of the leaf are the words of the Nativity Troparion: "Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hast shone forth into the world the light of reason, for in it thou servest the stars, and art a star. We bow to You, the Sun of Truth, and We lead You from the height of the East, O Lord, glory to You." The words of the festive kontakion are engraved on the back of the "Nativity Scene".: "Today the virgin gives birth to the Presubstantial, And the earth brings a den to the Unapproachable; Angels with shepherds praise, and the Magi travel with the star; For a Child was born for our sake, the young Eternal God."