This painting of the nativity will appear on 1,000 bus stops around the UK this Christmas. It is part of a campaign from the Churches Advertising Network, and is the latest in a series of eye-catching posters showing Christmas in a different light.

This year’s poster, which is also available to download, combines elements of Renaissance art with an contemporary urban scene by placing the nativity in a bus shelter.

The picture was painted by award winning artist Andrew Gadd, who explains the concept:

“At first I didn’t like the idea of painting a nativity scene in an urban setting. However, once it was explained that it was to be designed for bus stops, it gave me an idea… this idea. The bus stop when simplified is like a stable. It is after all a shelter; a place people go to but never want to be. So where better to stage a nativity? How unlikely! The image reflects the environment it will be shown in, and therefore includes the viewer. Which is what it is all about.”