Christmas Magi 2014 Forever Stamps — Holiday Celebrations Series

Issue facts

66¢ Christmas Magi, issued at the first-class mail rate
Issue Date: November 19, 2014
City: Washington, D.C.
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products

The story

Only one of the four gospels mentions the Magi, and it is among the best-known passages in the Bible. Matthew describes visitors "from the east" following a rising star in search of a child prophesied to be the son of God. They find him in Bethlehem and present gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The three gifts

All three were genuinely valuable at the time. Gold was wealth and status outright. Frankincense was a perfume with medicinal uses, including relief for arthritis. Myrrh served as anointing oil and as embalming fluid, and worked as a salve.

Each also carries a reading: gold for Jesus' divinity and kingship on earth, frankincense for his holiness, myrrh for the suffering and death ahead of him.

That episode is where Western Christianity's tradition of Christmas gift-giving originates — a custom now observed by millions every December.

The stamp

Created by Nancy Stahl, who also designed the 2012 Holy Family stamp. The Postal Service issued its first Christmas stamp in 1962 and added a traditional design alongside a contemporary one in 1966; both have been annual fixtures since.

Ships from our U.S. warehouse within 1 business day.

Secure checkout with major cards and PayPal.

Tracking information will be provided once your order ships.