Yes, there are many 2013 stamps in this series of Christmas favorites. This is because I have just returned to the hobby of philately and have been looking at recent issues trying to get up-to-date with what’s out there. I’m going with first impressions and this one from Germany leapt out at me as soon as I came across it. Featuring the Three Wise Men, this semi-postal issue was released on 15 November in a sheet of ten self-adhesive stamps. The following is from Deutsche Post’s press release:

German Post issued a stamp for the Christmas 2013. The Christmas stamp was traditionally introduced with a sign of charity: five dots forming a plus next to the motto “doing good – help with stamps”. The additional cost of the stamp is charged in favor of the charity organizations.

 

The current Christmas stamp “Star of Bethlehem” reminds of the central events of the Holy Night. The Gospel of Matthew says about the worship of the newborn by magicians or wise men from the East. Three kings named Caspar, Melchior and Balthazarwere brought by the holy starin the little town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of the newborn Jesus. They wanted to pay their respects to the child with gold, frankincense and myrrh. This event is celebrated on the 6th January as “Three Kings Day” or “Epiphany”.

 

In Germany the custom called “Singing Star” is related to the Epiphany celebration. Children dressed as the Three Kings go from house to house to collect donations especially for disadvantaged children.

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