Sister Wendy's Nativity looks anew at the Christmas story and invites us to consider the true significance of Christ's life. Her personal selection of over 40 beautiful paintings from manuscripts held by the Vatican and Italian State Libraries (many seen here for the first time) illustrate stories that are familiar to us all, yet whose significance is so often elusive.

Sister Wendy begins the story by looking at the events that proceeded the birth of Christ--the Creation, the Garden of Eden, the Annunciation, the Visitation leading us to the Nativity story itself--the birth in the stable, the shepherds, the magi. The story continues with much-loved episodes from Christ's time on earth--the Feeding of the five thousand, Peter walking on the water. The last Supper. Finally, she reflects upon the meaning of the crucifixion, resurrection and Christ's eventual ascension into heaven to embrace eternal life.

The charming, provocative and often humorous illustrations in this book are the testament of artists who dedicated their lives to producing paintings in praise of God. Sister Wendy blends her artistic knowledge with her spiritual insight in order to help us understand the meaning contained for all of us in their exquisite pictures.