“Icons are theology in imagery, the icon expresses through color what the Gospel proclaims in words”. - The Icon: Window on the Kingdom
Remember that for the first thousand years of Christianity, the literacy rate might have been 1-5%. So how could the common person learn? Even a simple picture could be drawn for teaching. These can get quite expressive and teach some deep truths such as the Nativity. We see Mary, Joseph and Christ in the center of the icon along with a ray of light demonstrating the Divinity of God. Notice that the face of Jesus is that of an adult, showing that He was fully human. He is wrapped not in swaddling clothes and in a manager but rather in burial cloths and in a coffin, showing that His death is in the future. The ox and the donkey watch over Him as Isaiah says
"The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master's manger; Israel has no knowledge, my people have no understanding" (Isa 1: 2-3). The Magi are arriving while an angel proclaims the tidings of the birth to a shepherd.
The cave is painted black, indicating the darkness in the world, with the light illuminating it as in the first chapter of John. Mary is dressed in a blue undertunic with a red robe, showing that she carried the divine in her humanity. Christ is ordinarily drawn with a red tunic and blue cloak, showing his divinity and humanity.
View attachment 324105
In the Orthodox house, an icon corner is used as a church in the house. This is mine. Not only do I have a full spread of icons, but censor, candles as well as service and prayer books.
View attachment 324104