The Birth of Christ is one of the most important motifs in religious art, depicted by countless artists down the centuries. With many new pieces from the Sacred Art Pilgrim to display on the theme of the Incarnation, I'm beginning a new series this month, presenting images of different events in the Christmas story by international artists in a variety of styles. It begins this week with the story of the Annunciation and ends with the Adoration of the Magi, taking us into the Advent season and on to Epiphany Sunday. My first art offering is an tinted drypoint and aquatint ex libris print by Czech Graphic Artist Jaroslav Dajc, showing the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing she will be the mother of the Christ Child. Dajc's spidery linework emphasizes the astonishment of Mary on hearing the dramatic news. The Angel Gabriel reaches out to take her arm with a large, comforting hand. The new bookplate by Dajc on the Annunciation can now be found in the gallery of the East European Ex Libris page in the Schools of Sacred Art section. (John Kohan)