Christmas - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 1980 - 60 Pfennig

Support for the functions of the Free Welfare The representation of the Nativity is the upper part of a two-tone miniature, in the lower half of which the Annunciation is housed with the shepherds. The sheet is in an evangelistar richly decorated with miniatures and initials, a liturgical manuscript which contains the Gospel passages selected at Mass according to the order of the liturgical year. At the beginning are the readings for the Christmas Mass; the depiction of the Nativity on folio 3v illustrates the reading John 1, verses 1-14 (on the opposite page) (in the principio erat verbum). Maria lies on a pillow, whose round head cushion foils the nimbus of Mary and enlarges it. The Blessed Mother is thus emphasized to Joseph, who sits thoughtfully on the right edge of the picture. At the same time Mary gestures with speaking gesture to the child in the crib, which is at the center of the picture. An angel looking down from a cloud segment as well as ox and donkey complete the presentation. The motive of the Christmas stamp is taken from a manuscript of the early 12th century from Altmünster (Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 2939). (Text: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich)