New Stamps on Christmas

 

Date of Issue : 31 October 2011

Australia Post and Christmas Island  issued new stamps on 31st October 2011 for this year’s Christmas celebration.

This year's Christmas issue from Australia Post includes two stamps with a religious theme and three that focus on the more secular elements of Christmas.

The beautiful religious stamps show two episodes from the Biblical story. In the 55c stamp the Virgin Mary, dressed in her traditional deep blue robe, gazes tenderly at the newborn baby Jesus. In the $1.50 stamp, the three Kings or Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, are shown journeying from the east to Bethlehem in order to worship the Christ Child. They are dressed in rich robes as befits their royal station. The guiding star can be seen in the night sky.

Stamp and Coin Cover

The three secular stamps offer an alternative to those who celebrate the festive season but who would prefer not to focus on the religious aspect of Christmas. Many people identify Christmas with the Christmas tree and the excitement of opening elaborately wrapped presents early on Christmas morning. The decorative Christmas star is a reference to the bright star that the Wise Men followed from the east. 

 

 

Date of Issue : 31 October 2011

Festive designs appear on new Christmas Island stamps to celebrate  this year’s Christmas.  The stamp issue takes a light-hearted approach to Christmas, integrating symbols of Christmas with the island’s natural environment in a humorous graphic manner.

55c Pulling crackers.
In a classic Christmas Island setting and surrounded by a number of delighted birds and a green sea turtle, Father Christmas and a Red Crab pull a Christmas cracker. A lovely Ridley’s Orchid hangs among the Christmas lights while a Christmas Island Frigatebird, a Golden Bosunbird, an Abbott’s Booby and a Green Sea Turtle look on.

$1.50 Father Christmas arrives on Christmas Island.
Christmas Island is known for its snorkelling sites. Father Christmas has taken time out to do some snorkelling before arriving on the island to be met by a number of excited crabs, birds and fish, including an Eastern Reef Egret, a Red-footed Booby, a Moorish Idol and a Whitelined Cod.

 

: Australia Post