Reflections from the Pew 22

Free Church & Manse on OS map 1:1,250/1:2,500 1944-1970

Royal Mail Christmas stamps started in 1966. The two stamps were chosen as the result of a competition held on Blue Peter with over 5,000 entries. The winners were the King of the Orient, and a Snowman, submitted by Tasveer Shemza and James Berry.

In 1981 the honour of designing that year’s Christmas stamps fell to children. The competition was organised by the television show Blue Peter with the winners’ designs becoming issued stamps. Lucinda Blackmore, aged 6, was one of the five children to have their image chosen. Lucinda’s angel flies above a snowy landscape adorned with gold halo and serene smile.

More information on the history of Christmas stamps is available here and here.

Free Church & Manse on OS map 1:1,250/1:2,500 1944-1970
In 1994 the theme was Children’s plays. For many children the nativity play is a Christmas tradition. Practised for weeks the children enact the story of the birth of Jesus for friends and family. The stamps were designed by Yvonne Gilbert and show real life children, Mary doesn’t look too happy but the two children dressed as angels their angelic faces complement their roles. There are no children dressed as foxes or rabbits.

Is Christmas mainly for Children?

Remember the Church of Scotland Used Stamp Appeal, see here for more information.

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