The most well-known and traditional depiction of the Nativity of Christ, the "Adoration of the Magi" shows the scene of the biblical Magi, also known as the Three Kings, presenting their gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) to the newborn baby Jesus. The Magi were astronomers from Persia and saw the star years before Christ’s birth. Having never before seen anything so wondrous, they decided to travel to the point on earth directly underneath the star. Their journey brought them to the small town of Bethlehem, where they found the Christ Child underneath the star, lying in a manger in a stable! The Magi, understanding the significance of the humble surroundings of the Messiah, bestowed upon Him kingly gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. May we always let Christ be born into our hearts each year on the Nativity!

While the Panagia Eleoussa is an appropriate icon for all occasions, it is always appropriate as a Christmas gift, especially for mothers. The Panagia Eleoussa shows the Theotokos caressing her son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with loving tenderness. It is an emotion every mother has felt deeply for her children. Because the Nativity commemorates the birth of Christ, it is a reminder of a mother's love as well as the love the Theotokos has for all of humanity as our prime intercessor.

While Saint Nicholas is the gift-bringer for Christmas in the West, in Greece the bringer of gifts is in fact Saint Basil. Saint Basil the Great is celebrated on January 1 and, in Greece, Saint Basil leaves presents in the children's shoes on New Year's Day. Saint Basil established the guidelines for the monastic life to include community life, liturgical prayer and manual labor, as the solitary ascetical life did not call him. Because of the majesty and keenness of his eloquence, he is honored as "the revealer of heavenly things" and "the Great." In addition to being a great theologian, Saint Basil is commemorated for his devotion to the poor and less fortunate. He organized a kitchen for the purpose of distributing food to the poor and hungry. He also worked to reform thieves and encouraged his clergy to not be tempted by wealth.