The traditional Christmas story is an important element of Christmas time in Tokelau, and is represented on the 2013 Christmas stamps.
Issue information
Christmas Day in Tokelau is often made up of attending church services, spending time with friends and family, enjoying food together and spending time outside playing kilikiti (cricket) and dancing.
Each stamp in the Tokelau Christmas issue touches on a milestone surrounding the nativity story, and together they are a charming addition to any collection.
45c – Road to Bethlehem
The 45c stamp depicts Mary and Joseph travelling from their home in Nazareth to Joseph’s ancestral home in Bethlehem to register for a census. Their journey took several days on foot, with Mary riding on a donkey.
$1.40 – Nativity
On the $1.40 stamp, Mary and Joseph are depicted in the stable with the baby Jesus. Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, they found there was no room at the inn. The kind inn-keeper offered them his stable for the night, where the baby Jesus was born.
$2.00 – Shepherds
The $2.00 stamp illustrates shepherds nearby tending their flocks. Upon hearing the news of Jesus’s birth from the Angel, they followed a bright light in the sky to Bethlehem where they found the newly arrived son of God.
$3.00 – Wise men
The $3.00 stamp features the three wise men, who followed a bright star in the sky to where Jesus lay in the manger. They worshipped the newborn child and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Beautiful Christmas collectables
As well as the four gummed stamps, a miniature sheet and two first day covers are available. The words ‘Manuia te Kilihimahi’ (Merry Christmas) are incorporated into the design of the collectables, and the first day covers feature the Star of Bethlehem.
Order yours today for a charming memento of the true meaning of the festive season. (Turn over for first day covers.)
Technical information
| Date of issue: | 20 November 2013 |
|---|---|
| Number of stamps: | Set of four gummed stamps |
| Denominations: | 45c, $1.40, $2.00 and $3.00 |
| Stamps and first day covers designed by: | New Zealand Post Limited, Wellington, New Zealand |
| Printer: | Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand. |
| Number of colours: | Four process colours |
| Stamp size and format: | 30mm x 40mm (vertical) |
| Paper type: | Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper |
| Number of stamps per sheet: | 16 |
| Perforation gauge: | 13.33 |
| Period of sale: | Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until close of business 19 November 2014 |