The U.S. Postal Service is ready for Christmas with a new Nativity Forever stamp.
The stamp art features an image of the Holy Family silhouetted against a dawn sky. As the baby Jesus lies in a straw-filled manger, Mary kneels to the right and Joseph stands to the left, holding a lantern. Over the scene, a bright star shines on the trio. The color palette features simple shades of blue and white highlighted by deep shadows.
The Nativity Scene
Artists through the centuries have celebrated the Nativity in painting and sculpture. Carvings of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, often accompanied by an ox and a donkey, date back at least to the fourth century. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first crèche in the 13th century. In 1223 in a cave near a small village, he set up a manger as a visual way to deepen the message of his sermon on the birth of Jesus.
Today Nativity scenes remain the centerpieces of many church and family devotions during the Christmas season.
Nativity is being issued in booklets of 20 Forever stamps. Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.
No comments:
Post a Comment