The Nativity Painting by Lorenzo Lotto, 1523 National Gallery, Washington
Why Jesus Was Born
A. To Destroy the Works of the Devil & Restore God's Kingdom-rule on Earth
In 1 John 3:8 we read that "the reason the Son of God came into the world was to destroy the works of the Devil." That is because when Adam and Eve sinned, they gave Satan the authority over this world, as John writes in 1 John 5:19: "The whole world lies under the dominion of the evil one."
Lorenzo Lotto was a sixteenth century Italian painter, whose life was dedicated to contemplation and prayer and claimed his art was a vocation. In his Nativity we see a sensitivity to the spiritual reality of the occasion. It shows Joseph and Mary on their knees before the infant Jesus, who is reaching out his hands as if to embrace his mother, while Joseph looks on in humble adoration.
In the background a shepherd is tending his flock on a hillside, while angels above the stable join two turtle doves - the offering of poor people at the Temple - in worshipping the infant Christ from a hymn sheet.
B. To Take Away Our Sins & Reconcile Us To God as Father
Hanging on the wall (on the left of the picture) foreshadowing the reason for this baby's birth is a crucifix. His death was to reverse the results of Adam and Eve's rebellion and to usher in God's kingdom-rule on earth as it is in heaven. The other reason for Christ's birth, John says, was to take away our sins (1 John 3:5) and guarantee our life with him in heaven. As John wrote in John 3:16 God loved us so much that he sent his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.