Canada Post continues its annual tradition of Christmas stamps with The Madonna and Child Official First Day Cover.

About Canada Post’s holiday issues

Canada Post has a long-standing tradition of Christmas-themed stamps, a practice that has been in place since 1964. Recognizing the diverse sentiments surrounding the holiday season, Recognizing the diverse sentiments surrounding the holiday season, since 2005, mailers and collectors have been able to choose either sacred Christmas stamps or secular Holiday stamps.

These popular stamps are released in advance of the season, so you can use them for your Christmas mail.

About The Madonna and Child

The Madonna, from the old Italian ma donna (my lady), is one of the most frequently depicted figures in European Christian art. Wall paintings of Mary appeared in the Roman catacombs.

During those first centuries of Christianity, Mary was sometimes shown alone, her hands outstretched in a gesture of prayer. In 431, she received the official title of Theotokos (literally God bearer, or Mother of God) from the Council of Ephesus, a move that inspired a proliferation of religious art pairing her with the newborn Jesus.

During the Middle Ages, Mary was often shown seated on a throne, the baby perched on her lap. Dressed in blue and surrounded by saints or angels, she evoked links to the heavenly realm.

Over the centuries, artists incorporated cultural references and influences from their own era. Images became more intimate and maternal, with Mary cradling the Holy Infant, much like the depiction on this stamp.

About the design

The Official First Day Cover is a warm, dark blue-green colour. “Christmas” and “Noël” text are largely displayed on the left in a light-coloured festive seasonal font. The Madonna and Child stamp is in the upper right corner, with the cancel mark immediately below.

Designed by Adrian Horvath, the issue stamp shows the Madonna and Child in a style reminiscent of the stained-glass windows found in churches.

The stamp is a blend of cream, and pastel green and pink. The colourful line-drawn design style depicts the loving embrace of mother and child against a background of stained-glass-inspired imagery. The newborn Jesus is cradled in Mary’s arm, and she gently gazes down with love.

The back of the cover is the same colour as the front, and features facts and specifications about the issue, and a flower and leaf illustration in the lower right corner.

The cancel location is Saint Marys, Ontario, Canada, and the mark features a line-drawn illustration of a dove, a symbol of peace, is therefore an appropriate image for the Christmas cancel.

Product # 414247131

Christmas (2023) – Madonna and Child: Official First Day Cover