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1985: Christmas Gift Bearers (Design - Clive Abbott)
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Christmas is a time of gifts both spiritual and secular. Here are some potential visitors -
1.Santa Claus a universal gift bearer. 2.Scandinavians adopted the Italian Saint Lucia (Lussibruden) as a symbol of light and she comes with a crown of candles arriving on the 13th December with a song, coffee and cake. 3.The first of the three wise men - Balthazar bringer of myrrh. 4. In the Netherlands Siinterklaas - Saint Nicholas is the gift bearer and being wise he doesn't live in the North Pole but in the warmth of Spain. Arriving in Amsterdam by steamboat on 23rd November (this will give him time to collect children's requests) he embarks on a festive canal tour then journeys by horseback through the city. The Present Evening parties will take place on the 5th December and the saint will spend the night time distributing the presents which will be laid out on a table to be found by children on the morning of the 6th December
1.The children in Italy wait until the 6th January for their gifts from the witch known as La Befana, stockings full of sweets for the good children and coal for naughty ones. 2. Denmark's Father Christmas is Julenisse assisted by his sprites. 3. In Germany an angel leaves the household's presents. Christkind rings a silver bell just before she leaves. 4. Good King Wenceslas (patron saint of the Czech Republic). The carol tells us he set out in deep snow on St Stephen's day to bring succor to a poor peasant.
1.France is blessed with several Christmas gift bearers but in the south of the country around the Provencal village of Les Baux, the midnight mass is enlivened by the arrival of a shepherd bringing the gift of a lamb for the baby Jesus 2. For that same baby Caspar brings frankincense 3. In Russia the Baboushka, leaves children toys in a basket 4. Melichior, the giver of gold
Sunday Stamps theme this week is - Christmas or Hanukkah - See It On A Postcard
5 comments:
This is an excellent way to learn about the various traditions in other countries. And, apart from the gifts, they really are varied!
how lovely and original these stamps are! (FYI children in Italy get gifts also on Christmas and later on January 6 from Befana 😀)
Thank you for explaining! Lovely stamps.
This is a wonderful set. In Spain, the Three Wise Men bring the presents on the night of the 5th, and you find them on the Epiphany's morning. Recently, I think people exchange presents also on Christmas. But, when I was a child, Sante didn't exist here! :)
What a great set! Thanks for sharing it.
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