The Incarnation is the self-emptying love of God. Christ took upon Himself our human nature, except without sin, that He might restore the original beauty of mankind that was made according to His image and likeness.
One of the hymns composed for this feast, states: “Today, the Virgin comes to give birth to the Transcendent One and the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels with shepherds, glorify Him! The Magi journey with the star! Since for our sake the Pre-Eternal God was born as a little child.”
In this icon, the rays of light shining down from heaven onto the Child indicate the Trinitarian participation in this event. The Virgin is resting upon reddish bedding, the color of royalty. The shepherds represent the Jewish people while the Magi presenting their gifts, the Gentiles. Joseph sits apart assuring that he is not the father. According to St. Gregory of Nyssa, Christ was born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes (foreshadowing His future death, burial, sepulcher, and burial clothes). The Magi offered their gifts: gold for a King; frankincense for He is God; myrrh for becoming a mortal man.
Christ is Born! Glorify Him!