Christmas (or Feast of the Nativity) is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is preceded by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide includes an octave. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world’s nations, is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians, and forms an integral part of the holiday season centered around it.
The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information.
The celebratory customs associated in various countries with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift giving; completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath; Christmas music and caroling; viewing a Nativity play; an exchange of Christmas cards; church services; a special meal; and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. In addition, several closely related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.
Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.
Websites
YouTube
- American Philatelic Society: Christmas Mail Art and Postmarks
- American Philatelic Society: Christmas Postcards from Japanese POW camps (1914-1919)
- Bob Collects Stamps: Episode 8 – A Christmas Letter
- British Empire Study Group: Canadian Christmas Seals
- British Thematic Association: Christmas Celebration (2021)
- British Thematic Association: Stamp Advisory Committee Christmas Menus
- Exploring Stamps: Season 2/Ep.3 – Holiday Postage Stamps
- Gumardee Stamps: Christmas Stamps
- NTSC Presents: Hospital for Sick Children Early Christmas Campaigns
- Paul Fraser Collectibles: Top 10 Christmas Stamps of All Time
- Philatelic Society of Lancaster County: Christmas Seals Collecting
- Richard Philatelist: 1966 Christmas Stamps of the UK
- Snail Mail With Smokey: Episode 38 – Christmas Stamps from Poland
- Snail Mail With Smokey: Episode 36 – Christmas Stamps from Iceland
- Sociedade Philatelica Paulista: Telegramas Sociais de Natal
- Stamp Stories: Episode 8 – The World’s First Christmas Stamp?
- Stamps with Sara: Episode 11 – Christmas decorations
Just played the item on restoration with Daisy – very informative and entertaining. Perhaps one day you can talk her into showing an actual ‘restoration’, such as repairing a tear or removing brown stains. MANY of us would like to see exactly what is involved in the process. Any ways, guys, you two are always fun to watch and listen to, and the shows always have merit. Cheers, and stay safe, keep well. Daniel Marz, Toronto, Canada.
There are a couple of videos on YouTube that show how to clean a cover by the Stamp Restorer. Interesting to check out! 🙂