Three new parchment paintings with Christmas themes by unknown Ethiopian artists have just been added to the image gallery of the Ethiopian Icons page in the Schools of Sacred Art section. The Annunciation is the subject of one parchment sheet by a different hand than the other paintings in my collection. In this borderless piece, the Angel Gabriel appears to the enthroned Virgin Mary, carrying a golden urn. She reacts in surprise, her hands holding a spindle and thread, a basket of wool at her feet. A second painting in the "pursed lip" style of other pieces in the gallery, brings together Mary, Joseph, the Baby Jesus, and an angel in a tight composition. The last piece is a charming Nativity scene, where the ox and ass of tradition are joined by a Brahman cow and a visitor to the manger waves three flowers in the Ethiopian national colors of green, gold, and red. (John Kohan)