The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:1-17)
According to St Matthew's gospel, Isaiah's prophecy of the Virgin Birth refers to the birth of Jesus Christ. St Matthew explains that this prophecy was fulfilled through the Virgin Mary, who conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)
‘The Visitation’ is the formal name for the visit of the Virgin Mary to her elderly relative, St Elizabeth. The story is told in St Luke’s gospel.
The First Gospel (Genesis 3:14-19)
The "Protoevangelium" in Genesis 3:14-15 contains a promise that a woman, through her child, would eventually defeat the Devil. This woman was traditionally believed to be the Virgin Mary, through whom Christ came to save the world.
The Birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1-5)
The Prophet Micah referred to a future ruler who will come from the town of Bethlehem and bring peace to the people. This prophecy is understood by Christians as a prediction of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
The Deposition of Christ (Mark 15:42-47)
The taking down of Christ’s dead body from the cross is traditionally known in art as the ‘Deposition of Christ', the ‘Descent from the Cross’ or the ‘Lamentation of Christ’.
Rizpah mourns her crucified sons (2 Samuel 21:1-14)
Rizpah's faithful vigil over her dead sons, who were hanged on a hill and left unburied, symbolises the future suffering of the Virgin Mary during Christ's crucifixion.
The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)
The Magnificat is a song of praise uttered by the Virgin Mary, found within the pages of St Luke’s gospel. The words of the song are based on a dramatic speech Mary made in the house of her elderly relative, St Elizabeth.
The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
The 'Annunciation' is the official title for the gospel story where the Archangel Gabriel 'announced' to the Virgin Mary that she was to become a mother to Jesus Christ.
The Woman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 12:1-6)
The book of Revelation includes a vision of a Woman and her Son who oppose the Devil, which links back to the story of the Fall in Genesis.