2024年3月28日 · The sight of a donkey in the nativity scene has become a ubiquitous symbol of the Christmas story, but have you ever wondered why it is there? Surely, a donkey is an unexpected addition to a scene depicting the birth of Jesus, and yet it has remained a beloved and essential part of the traditional nativity.

2021年11月3日 · A manger without an ox or a donkey would be incomplete. The two animals, together with the main characters Mary, Joseph and of course, the baby Jesus, have appeared in so many nativity scenes that we expect them to be there. But how did the ox and the donkey, which are among the oldest Christian motifs, enter the stable originally?

2023年11月2日 · These animals have important roles in religious texts, especially in the nativity story. They're not just ordinary creatures, but messengers in biblical narratives, teaching us spiritual lessons. In this article, let's explore the meaning behind the ox and donkey and discover the valuable insights they offer in understanding our faith.

In the book of Isaiah (1:3), we read: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” This prophetic passage was interpreted by the Church Fathers as a prefiguration of the humility and …

The patient donkey is another key figure in nativity scenes, often depicted as the animal that carried a pregnant Mary on the long journey to Bethlehem. This portrayal speaks to the donkey’s historic role as a beast of burden, valued for its endurance and dependability.

2023年7月20日 · The donkey plays a significant role in the Nativity story, as it is often depicted as the animal that carried Mary to Bethlehem prior to the birth of Jesus. While its role may seem minor at first glance, the donkey's presence symbolizes several important themes found throughout biblical narratives.

1 天前 · Even though the New Testament does not mention the donkey at Jesus’ birth, Christian tradition naturally incorporated it into the Nativity scene. This inclusion is based on a verse from Isaiah...

A crib without ox and donkey would be incomplete: the two animals, together with the main characters Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, simply belong to a traditional crib. But how did the ox and donkey, which are among the oldest Christian motifs, enter the stable? And what is the meaning of the other animals in the stable?

Pope Benedict XVI explained in his third book on the life of Christ, “ Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives,” released in 2012, that the ox and ass appear in other parts of the Bible (Isaiah 1:3).

2023年12月27日 · The donkey is important in the Nativity story because for those of you who have been pregnant, there is no way someone about to give birth was going to walk many miles, up and down over mountains and valleys. Mary wouldn’t have made it …