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During the Christmas holidays, the humble birth of the baby Jesus is depicted in Nativity scenes that are often the centerpiece of many church and family devotions.
The stamp art features a peaceful yet powerful image of the Holy Family silhouetted against a dawn sky.
Forever stamps will always be valid for first class mail postage even if rates change to any address in US or great to add to any album collection
Available in books of 20 easy to use Peel & Stick Self Adhesive. Same beautiful design. Issue date November 3 2016. Made in USA
Easy to use Peel-n-Stick - Self Adhesive no licking. Perfect for Holiday mailings, Christmas postcards, letters, mailing envelopes, collectibles and more

Description

During the Christmas holidays, the humble birth of the baby Jesus is depicted in Nativity scenes that are often the centerpiece of many church and family devotions.

The stamp art features a peaceful yet powerful image of the Holy Family silhouetted against a dawn sky. The baby Jesus lies in a straw-filled manger in the center of the picture with Mary kneeling to the right and Joseph standing to the left, holding a lantern. A bright star shines over the scene.

The Gospel of Luke relates how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census decreed by the Roman emperor. The Gospel says: "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."

That simple description has been an inspiration for artists since at least the fourth century. In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi is believed to have created the first crche. Derived from an Old French word for "manger" or "crib," crche came to signify a representation of the Nativity scene. Since then, crches have ranged in style from simple sets holding only the Holy Family to elaborate, life-size panoramas that might include shepherds, the Three Wise Men, animals, angels, or the Star of Bethlehem. As the tradition spread to other areas of the world, the crches came to reflect local cultures, with figures in native costume surrounded by animals familiar to the crche maker-a Kenyan elephant, a Navajo skunk, or a Peruvian llama, for example.

Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Nancy Stahl.

Nativity is being issued in booklets of 20 Forever stamps. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Issue Date:
November 03, 2016
Art Director/Designer:
Greg Breeding, Nancy Stahl