1836-large-300x12Australia Christmass 2013

Australia Post has issued Christmas stamps since 1957. The religious stamps for Christmas 2013 are details of a minisheet that depicts the Nativity scene. The Virgin Mary tenderly cradles the baby Jesus while Joseph and shepherds look on.

The religious stamps and minisheet are the work of Australian artist, Paul Newton, whose work is held in many Australian and overseas collections, including the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Newton has a love of religious art, and was recently commissioned to paint 32 religious pictures for the interior of the Domus Australia guest house chapel in Rome.

The festive stamps depict familiar trappings of Christmas – a Christmas tree, a gift, a lit candle and a bell.