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Listen while you read: "As With Gladness Men Of Old"1 (Lyrics) |
One day, we received a newsletter from a Christian organization, and much to my surprise, there was a Christmas postage stamp on it. This year's Canadian Christmas stamp has a simple line drawing of an angel blowing a trumpet over a Christian church with a cross on the steeple. I was so intrigued that I looked up on the Canada Post website how the publication of this stamp came about. It was put on sale on November 1, 2021, and this is what the article said:
- Beloved symbols at Christmas, angels played an integral part in the Nativity story. In the Bible, these celestial beings, whose name derives from the Greek word for messenger, often serve as benevolent intermediaries between God and humanity. According to the Gospel of Luke, it was the archangel Gabriel who told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, "Son of the Most High," and when the day arrived, it was an angel who announced the good news to shepherds tending their flocks in the region. A choir of angels singing God's praise appeared around the messenger angel, and then the awed shepherds departed for Bethlehem to worship the newborn king.
This past month or so, we have again been reminded of the commercialism of this season. There are different online ways of buying presents now, and we are confronted with them on a daily basis, but still, people flock to the various stores to buy their presents. In many cases, it causes a financial hardship, but we are so used to it. Then, there are the articles in the paper and on television showing the putting up of lights and Christmas trees, and the virtual Santa Claus parades. I notice that other writers make mention of how these events bother them as well, and they, too, remind the readers that Christmas is and should be about the birth of Christ.
Then, what a surprise it was, for me at least, to see such a stamp on an envelope, and how encouraging it was that a government organization is reminding us that this season is about the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, announced by the angels to the shepherds:
Luke 2:10-14 – Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (NKJV)
May I suggest that if you live in Canada and need stamps, ask for these stamps specifically, and that any philatelists among you also purchase these stamps. If you live in another country, ask whether your postal service provides Christian Christmas stamps. They are a wonderful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. We thank You for all those who proclaim this good news in words, pictures, and actions. We thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Thank you.
God at work, Joel!
Amen, Joel! Blessings.
Great news! Wonderful message!
Thanks for the good reminder, Joel.
Buying stamps today, I’ll certainly ask for them. Thank you.
Thanks, Joel. It’s good to see signs of Christ in ordinary events.
Today’s devotion from Joel Jongkind is right on, let’s keep ‘Christ’ in Christmas.
Thanks Joel, I will definitely look for those stamps for my Christmas cards. God bless!
Wow. Thank you, Joel. I did not know about this. I will buy some of these for next year.
Thanks for sharing this lovely ‘surprise,’ Joel! I sure will get these stamps and enjoy their reminder! Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this good news. May these stamps be a reminder to all who see them that “Jesus is the real reason for the season.”
Thanks for this word today, Joel. I will check at our little post office and see if they have any of these stamps.
Thanks.
Thank you, Joel, for sharing this information. What a nice break in the commercialism of the meaning of Christmas.
Blessings.
Thanks Joel. Was not aware. Will make sure to pick some up. It is reassuring that the government had the courage to step up like this and portray the real reason for the Advent Season.
Blessings.
Dear Joel:
Thank you so very much for sharing this uplifting devotional message! I have forwarded it to all in our Ladies’ Bible Study group.
Keep writing. Your readers are blessed!
Hello Joel,
Thanks for the info on the Christmas stamp this year. I will certainly check at the post office for some. Also thank you for your very positive message today in the writing of this devotional. Blessings to you.
Whenever there are Christian Christmas stamps, I buy many more than I need for cards and use them throughout the year. A little reminder for folks.
Thank you for letting others know about this good idea!
Blessings.
Thank you for the great devotional on the stamp. I asked for the Christian stamp and was disappointed to see such a colourless stamp and not really thinking of how the angels played such a great part in telling of Jesus birth. I will happily remember your devotional as I send out my cards. I always enjoy your writing. I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas.
Hi Joel,
Today I went to our post office (before reading your post). The clerk showed me the selection of Christmas stamps. There were about six selections. The last one was of gifts, bows, etc. She said that was her favorite. Of course, I chose the only one with religious significance….same story with Christmas cards….finally found some that acknowledge why we have Christmas…and so it goes.
Best wishes to you and your family for a truly meaningful and joyful Christmas.
Amen.
Thanks Joel,
It is always a delight to see the true symbols of Christmas at this time of year. What a joy for Christians knowing the one true Light of this world will always shine brightly through all the ‘holiday glitz and glitter,’ and God’s messengers will keep on singing “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
May hope fill your heart and mind this first week in Advent.
Blessings.
Joel, this is utterly amazing and surprising!!! I have no idea if we have a Christmas stamp as I don’t need any now. Thank you for sharing this great happening in Canada.
(Ca.)
Have a blessed Christmas Season!!!