The Orthodox Coptic Church is one of the oldest Christian churches. Founded and based in Egypt, the church can trace its beginnings back to 41 ad, when the apostle Mark—who wrote the gospel of the same name—founded a Christian church based in Alexandria. Many believe the church dates back even farther, to the time when Jesus and his family fled to Egypt to avoid the slaughter of young male children by Herod.
The iconic art tradition of Coptic Christians is said to date back to the early days of the church. Examples of this art can be traced back to at least the third century ad. It is believed it was used to instruct a largely illiterate population that was being converted to Christianity from pagan religions, in the stories and traditions of Christianity. It provided a visual means of instruction and understanding in much the same way that stained-glass windows were used in Europe during the Middle Ages.
In the first three centuries after the founding of the church, Christianity became a major force in Egypt. There is evidence many of the temples previously used for pagan worship were assumed by Christianity. Many of these temples were reportedly decorated with art that the Coptic Christians plastered over and painted with their own Christian images. Few examples remain, in part because early archaeologists in Egypt removed much of the Coptic Christian art to find the more ancient Egyptian art and paintings. At the same time, Egypt became the center and the model for the monastic tradition in the Christian faith. Many monastic orders were founded in Egypt, and their buildings continue to provide some of the earliest examples of Coptic Christian art.
The style of Coptic icons is believed to have been influenced not only by the art of ancient Egypt but also by the Greek or Hellenic artistic tradition. Alexandria was originally founded by Alexander the Great when he invaded Egypt in the third century bc. Ancient Egyptians traditionally decorated and painted sarcophagi in which they were buried—the best-known example is the sarcophagus of Tutankhamen. This tradition was continued during the Hellenic period into the third century ad. Many striking examples of these portraits, primarily of Greek residents of Egypt, have been found in graves. These encaustic paintings (made with hot pigmented wax on wooden panels) are known as the Fayum mummy portraits; many of them bear a striking resemblance to later Coptic icons with their large eyes and face-on portraits painted in an almost two-dimensional style.
The seventh century saw a movement in the Coptic Church to eliminate icons from churches on the grounds that they were being worshipped as graven images. No doubt the invasion of Egypt by the Arabs, bringing Islam to the area, also had an influence in this movement.
In the eighteenth century, however, Coptic icons reappeared. These new images were marked by a simplification of form, the use of flat colors, and the bold delineation that is now seen as Coptic in character.

To this day, Coptic icons often follow a certain symbolic forms:

• Large, wide eyes symbolizing the spiritual eye that looks beyond material needs.
• Large ears listen to the word of God.
• Gentle lips to glorify and praise the Lord.
• Small mouths, so that they cannot be the source of empty or harmful words.
• Small noses, because the nose is sometimes seen as sensual.
• Large heads, implying that the figure is devoted to contemplation and prayer.

In the mid-twentieth century, there was a renaissance in Coptic art and culture. Dr. Isaac Fanous, a Coptic Christian artist, was foremost in advancing this movement. He taught at the Institute of Coptic Studies in Alexandria, where he founded a program to teach these artistic traditions. In addition, he developed his own style of iconic art, which drew heavily on the historic style of Coptic icons but has a flatter and at times almost abstract feel and appearance.
Adel Nassief is a graduate of Dr. Fanous's program. His creation of the images for First Christmas followed the traditional Coptic artistic approach. The paintings were created on wood panels initially prepared with several coats of gesso. The planned image was drawn on the panel with pencil. The colors were then painted using tempura paint, lighter first and moving to darker colors. Gold leaf was added—a difficult process requiring much patience. Finally, the painting was coated with a clear sealer.
In the iconic (not just Coptic) tradition, the creation of an icon is described as a process of "writing" the icon rather than painting it. The writing of the icon is seen as a spiritual experience requiring prayer and contemplation. Often artists will start their writing with a prayer to the individual being portrayed. Throughout the writing there is prayer and meditation—essential parts of the creative process. It is not just an artistic but also a spiritual creation.
When you look at Adel Nassief's work for First Christmas, you can't help but be drawn to his icons. There is a genuineness about them that places you firmly in the time and place of the events. By drawing on the ancient and spiritual traditions of his art, Adel has created images that touch our hearts. In the process, they give us a better understanding of the extraordinary events that transpired in the small town of Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago.



Almost twenty-five years ago, author Alastair Macdonald went looking for a picture book telling the story of the birth of Jesus Christ to read to his children. Not finding exactly what he wanted, he decided to tell the story in his own words. "I wanted to create a story," says Macdonald, "that would become a family tradition that parents could share with their children every Christmas; a story that would help to bring Christ back into Christmas."
Macdonald decided to tell the story from the unique perspective of Zeke, Joseph's trusty and hardworking donkey and wrote the story in anapestic tetrameter—the same upbeat rhythm used in "The Night Before Christmas" and much of the poetry of Dr. Seuss.
First Christmas is vividly illustrated by Adel Nassief, an accomplished Coptic Christian artist who lives and works in Alexandria, Egypt. Nassief and Macdonald collaborated for three years on the creation of the icons illustrating First Christmas. The paintings were done in the traditional manner, on wood board with tempura paint and gold leaf. In the Coptic Christian tradition, icons are described as being "written" instead of painted because their creation requires prayer and spiritual consideration as well as artistic effort. Nassief's twenty-one paintings bring the story to life as never before, giving Zeke's poetic narrative both depth and dignity.
Although it has taken almost twenty-five years to get First Christmas completed and published, its creation has been marked by many moments of serendipity and grace. As Macdonald indicates, "This is a project that just wouldn't go away. It has been touched in so many ways with divine intervention. How else can you explain that the poem could be written by a man who had never written poetry; an Egyptian artist would be found to interpret the poem with beauty, grace and spirituality; and finally Welcome Books, probably one of the most distinctive publishers of illustrated books in North America, would agree to publish it? It has truly been a project of continuing great blessings."
Alastair Macdonald and his wife live in Bermuda and, although their children are now grown, they look forward to the day when they can read First Christmas to their grandchildren.
Adel Nassief lives with his family in Alexandria, Egypt. He is frequently commissioned to create large murals and mosaics for Coptic Christian churches around the world. More of his work can be seen at www.adelnassief.net.
To learn more about First Christmas, please go to www.firstchristmas.net.

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