December 3rd, 2009 
srmodh 
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Title: Christmas: The Nativity Scene
Date of Issue: 2 November 2009
Country: Canada
Denominations: Permanent
Saint Francis of Assisi is said to have made the first Nativity scene (or crèche) in a church at Greccio, Italy, in 1223. His idea brought the Christmas story to life and provided a new way to celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth. Though centuries have passed since, artists around the world continue to contribute to, and expand upon, the flourishing tradition of Nativity art.
Last Christmas, Canada Post celebrated the Nativity with a commemorative stamp featuring a sculpture of the infant Jesus. This year, Caruso’s phenomenal Nativity sculptures will appear on three new stamps. The international stamp will feature the Shepherd; the domestic stamp will feature the Madonna and Child; and the U.S. stamp will feature the Magi. The figures are arranged on the souvenir sheet as they appear in the crèche.
The Nativity Scene on stamps
Canada Post began the tradition of featuring Nativity art on stamps in 1965, with an issue featuring the Gifts of the Magi. In the years since, the Nativity Scene has been portrayed in children’s illustrations (1970, 1975) stained glass windows (1976, 1997), gouache illustrations (1977), early Renaissance paintings (1978), icons (1988), Aboriginal art (2002), and more. The stamps have provided excellent opportunities to celebrate the birth of Jesus through Canadian art.
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