They represent the original meaning of Christmas, something we have all forgotten over the self-indulgent, materialistic years. Putting up decorations, posting cards, buying presents...what does it all mean? For some, spending time with family, though there will be many who for whatever reason cannot be with theirs. For others it is just about buy, buy, buy. My partner and I will will go to the Carols by Candlelight service at my local church, we will try to visit St Albans Cathedral and even go to church on Christmas morning. Is this enough? I don't know. I would love to have enough money to only buy presents from Oxfam or some other worthwhile charity but I have to confess, I, like many others, am feeling the pinch and finding it hard to make ends meet, so some of my presents will come from not so worthwhile shops. I visited my local Christian shop earlier today to buy cards and a few other little bits including The Grumpy Shepherd (for my grandaughter not partner) and The Spirit of Christmas for one of my sons. I also got a lovely photo frame and wedding candle for another son who has recently married. When I got home, I cut out M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S and stuck it on the wall, I felt I was taking part in the celebration of the birth of Christ and this seemed to give what I was doing, a bit more meaning. I'm lucky, I was brought up in the Catholic tradition, so I have some idea of what Christmas means but children today have no idea of God or the church. Our schools have become so politically correct, that they've become frightened of even mentioning Jesus.
Maybe this years stamps will add that special something to our lives when we buy our stamps and post our cards. The stamps illustrate the theme of the Nativity. The seven new stamps are inspired by verses from the Gospels of Mathew and Luke, and recognise that 2011 is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible.
2nd Class – Joseph visited by the Angel
Inspired by Matthew 1:21 where the angel tells the sleeping Joseph: ‘And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins’
1st Class – Madonna and Child
Inspired by Matthew 1:23, ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’
2nd Class Large – Joseph visited by the Angel
Inspired by Matthew 1:21 where the angel tells the sleeping Joseph: ‘And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins’
1st Class Large – Madonna and Child
Inspired by Matthew 1:23, ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us’
The wider format of the Large stamp reveals the stable in the background.
68p – Baby Jesus in the Manger
Inspired by Luke 2:7, ‘And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn’.
£1.10 – Shepherds visited by the Angel
Inspired by Luke 2:10, ‘And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people’.
£1.65 Wise Men and Star
Inspired by Matthew 2:10: ‘When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy’.
And I hope these stamps will bring joy to all those who use them.
God bless everyone.
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