Icons have been around for many centuries and have been used by numerous cultures and religions. They are often associated with the Catholic church and eastern Christian traditions and have had a controversial history. These two icons are based on the Nativity of Jesus and the second is the Holy Family (this image is considered heretical by some branches of the church).
Icons are full of symbols and meanings but the reason these two were chosen as part of our very first Blue Christmas is for two simple reasons. The first is they depict scenes that should be full of joy, a mother and her new born son and the happy family together. These moments of happiness lead us to our second reason. Icons very rarely have people smiling in them. They always look very serious and even at times sad. Mary looks at her new born son but she is not smiling. The happy family look on straight faced. These sad expressions on what should be happy moments remind us that Christmas, for all its joy and excitement is also a time of sadness and pain for many.
This year more than any we have a balance between the celebration but we have all experienced a year like no other and there is sadness and pain that we each carry to. It's ok to admit that, it's ok to not be ok at this time of year.