Christmas 2020

This stamp shows a stately Madonna and Child amid the colourful Australian bush, surrounded by an array of native flora, including banksia, wattle, eucalyptus and waratah. Various animals, such as a magpie, kookaburra, owl, Koala, possum, wallaby, cockatoo and parrot, are perched in the foliage, as if paying homage to the Christ Child. The work was painted in oil on canvas board in 1980 and is in the Australian Catholic University Art Collection.

The wreath has a very long history, first being used in ancient times as a head adornment. Made of laurel, olive or oak leaves, wreaths symbolised a person’s status or particular achievements. Christmas wreaths are made of evergreen branches to symbolise everlasting life. Today, Christmas wreaths are customarily placed on the front door, and while they can be made of almost anything, most are predominantly evergreen with red decorations such a bows, baubles and berries. The wreath featured on the stamp comprises native Australia flora, with a delightful Flame Robin perched at the base.

The origin of the Christmas stocking is somewhat obscure, but it seems that for hundreds of years children have left shoes and stockings by the fireplace on Christmas Eve to be filled with gifts by Father Christmas. For naughty children, the threat is that they will receive coals instead of treats. The stocking featured on the stamp is overflowing with Australian native plants and flowers, including kangaroo paw and waratah.

Christmas pudding, or plum pudding, is a British and Irish tradition, thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. The pudding is composed of dried fruits, held together by egg or suet, and flavoured with spices and brandy. It is made and steamed a month or more before Christmas and hung up in a bag to mature, preserved by the high alcohol content. The reheated pudding is served on Christmas Day, after being doused in brandy, ignited and brought to the table all aflame. Like the turkey, the Christmas pudding is usually served hot, even in the sweltering heat of the Australian summer.

This stamp shows a domestic scene of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Their setting suggests the manger but, instead of the traditional cattle and sheep, they are attended by native Australian animals and their young in the bush. This work was painted in oil and gold foil on board and is held in the Australian Catholic University Art Collection.