Virgin birth of Jesus

==Celebrations and devotions==
[[File:Ellenrieder Maria 1833.jpg|thumb|upright|''Mary writing the [[Magnificat]]'', by [[Marie Ellenrieder]], 1833]]
{{See also|Annunciation|Marian devotions|Hymns to Mary|Annunciation in Christian art}}
Some Christians celebrate the conception of Jesus on 25 March and his birth on 25 December.{{sfn|Nothaft|2014|p=564}} ([[Date of birth of Jesus|These dates]] are traditional; no one knows for certain when Jesus was born.) The [[Magnificat]], based on Luke 1:46-55 is one of four well known Gospel [[canticle]]s: the [[Benedictus (Song of Zechariah)|Benedictus]] and the Magnificat in the first chapter, and the [[Gloria in Excelsis]] and the [[Nunc dimittis]] in the second chapter of Luke, which are now an integral part of the Christian [[Liturgy|liturgical]] tradition.{{sfn|Simpler|1990|p=396}} The Annunciation became an element of [[Marian devotions]] in medieval times, and by the 13th century direct references to it were widespread in French lyrics.{{sfn|O'Sullivan|2005|pp=14–15}} The Eastern Orthodox Church uses the title "Ever Virgin Mary" as a key element of its Marian veneration, and as part of the [[Akathist]]s hymns to Mary which are an integral part of its [[liturgy]].{{sfn|Peltomaa|2001|p=127}}

The doctrine is often represented in [[Christian art]] in terms of the [[annunciation]] to Mary by the Archangel [[Gabriel]] that she would conceive a child to be born the Son of God, and in [[Nativity of Jesus|Nativity]] scenes that include the figure of [[Salome (disciple)|Salome]]. The Annunciation is one of the most frequently depicted scenes in Western art.{{sfn|Guiley|2004|p=183}} Annunciation scenes also amount to the most frequent appearances of Gabriel in medieval art.{{sfn|Ross|1996|p=99}} The depiction of Joseph turning away in some [[Nativity of Jesus in art|Nativity scenes]] is a discreet reference to the fatherhood of the Holy Spirit and the virgin birth.{{sfn|Grabar|1968|p=130}}