"This Christmas story is a wonderful collection of inspirational art and literature based upon the story of the birth of Jesus as depicted in the King James Bible's book of Matthew."

The Bible is actually four books in one:

• a religious text,
• a philosophical text,
• an historical text
• literature

It is also an inspiration for countless artistic masterpieces. Whether you're a practicing Christian or not, the Christmas story, as described in St. Matthew's Gospel of the Bible, is an enduring tale that you'll encounter depicted in works of art of all forms.

It's also an entertaining read, as you'll see below.

Two of my favourite works of art inspired by the Christmas story are the images that accompany this article:

• Nativity
• Adoration of the Magi

These paintings are by Giotto, a Renaissance Florentine artist. Giotto is best known for two things:

• offering the Pope a perfectly-drawn freehand circle as evidence of his artistic skill, and
• arranging his religious figures in naturalistic poses and settings.

Giotto painted one of the few nativity scenes in his time that showed Mary reclining after giving birth. Most have her, painfully, praying on her knees. She's still reclining when the magi arrive.

For more examples of the beautiful art inspired by the Bible story of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, be sure to check out The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York's website. They've put together an:

On-line story of Christmas illustrated with Bible-inspired art http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Christmas_Story/intro.html

Whether you are an interested reader, a student, or practitioner of a Judeo-Christian faith, the Bible on-line may interest you. Bible.com offers free access to various versions and translations. This version of the Christmas Story is from the King James Bible.

The Christmas Story: Matthew 1, 18-25, and Matthew 2, 1-23

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).

When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until she had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him."

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."

When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men.

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they were no more."

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."

And he rose and took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.

And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Candida Martinelli - Candida Martinelli grew up in San Francisco, California, but lived many years in Florence, Italy. As an outlet for her love of Italian culture, she set up Candida Martinelli’s Italophile Site a few years ago. It’s grown since then into a site that celebrates Italian culture for both children and adults. Candida offers up Italian culture in a fun way, with lots of pictures, and links for those who want to learn more after her introduction to a subject. She covers everything from Italian home decorating to gardening, fashion, music and movies.   Website: Candida Martinelli’s Italophile Site To review the Reprint Rights for this article, please go to the authors page by clicking the button below.