Canada Post has released Christmas designs every year since 1964, and for nearly 20 years has offered stamps featuring secular Holiday imagery.
The latest Christmas stamp depicts a vibrant-coloured illustration of the Holy Family. It shows Mary and Joseph looking lovingly at the infant Jesus. A star is visible overhead, which was said to announce the birth and lead the Magi to Jesus.
This year’s secular Holiday issue features elaborately decorated gingerbread houses with all their creature comforts – a birdhouse (domestic rate), a doghouse (U.S. rate) and a barn home to Santa’s magical transport team (International rate). These three stamps are shown on the illustrated Souvenir Sheet.
Gingerbread houses may have originated in what is now Germany. They were often ornately decorated and eventually became part of Christmas traditions. Settlers brought gingerbread to Canada as early as the 1700s. Today, many Canadian cities host gingerbread-house making competitions. Families make their own delicious little homes during the Christmas season.
Kitchener, Ontario was chosen as the First Day Cover cancel location for its large German immigrant and descendent population.
On behalf of the Medicine Hat Coin and Stamp Club, I wish you a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.com
