The Advent gift on Day 13 of Sharing the Joy comes from the Seeking Common Ground Circle.
Reflect on this nativity icon from the Eastern Orthodox church.

In the Eastern Christian Church an icon is a sacred image given special liturgical veneration.  This nativity icon comes from the Eastern Orthodox church. Seeking Common Ground Advocate Rev Dr Matt Wilson has sourced the notes on the imagery from Fr Jeremy below. 

Christ is to be seen in the centre, dressed in burial clothes to foreshadow his death

Mary is beside him looking not at Jesus but at Joseph (bottom right) who is full of doubts, and interceding for him

Jesus is pictured in a cave to reflect his burial and resurrection

The blue mandorla signifies the presence and glory of God

The Magi follow the star

Angels appear to shepherds

Midwives (bottom left) wash the truly human Christ because he has had an ordinary birth

Ox and Ass represent the Jew and Gentile coming together