The Christmas set of postage stamps that Maltapost plc is issuing this year is an exceptionally beautiful set, which allows one to admire the artistic beauty that embellishes the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu in Gozo. The majesty and beauty of this magnificent temple are augmented and shown at their best when along with the white brightness of the Maltese stone we find a mixture of colours of mosaic pictures that give an account of the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These mosaics were manufactured by the Company of Ferrari e Bacci of Pietra Santa, Italy.

7c stamp: The Nativity. “And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger”, (Lk.2:7). These words inspired Professor Emvin Cremona who gave us such a beautiful painting. The Virgin Mary dressed in white symbolizing her purity is seen adoring while at the same time placing her Baby Jesus in the Manger. St. Joseph is seen on one side meditation in the solitude of his heart about the mystery of the Incarnation. In the golden background the angels are seen announcing the birth of the Saviour. This is one of a set of seven paintings around the upper front part of the Sanctuary. The design of the sculpture in the white Maltese stone, the work of Agostino Camilleri, dominates the Cross. It as through His death on the Cross that Christ became our Saviour after He was born among us. The wood of the manger is already heralding the wood of the Cross, the wood of Salvation.

16c stamp: The Annunciation. “the Angel Gabriel was send by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,…’85 and the virgin’s name was Mary”. (Lk. 1: 26,27). This painting of the Annunciation is regarded as one of the most beautiful paintings of Cremona in the Sanctuary. The postage stamp differs from others. It is a square one. It is found on one of the lateral alters of the sanctuary. Cremona’s live colours are outstanding in this painting that was completed in the year 1960. The Virgin Mary is in a standing posture, with her head bowed in an attitude of prayer. She is the humble handmaid of the Lord ready to accept the annunciation of the divine message brought by Gabriel, to become the Mother of God. Mary deposits her whole being under the shade of the Holy Spirit who generated the Emmanuel in her womb. Here one sees the beginning of the mystery of the Incarnation. In fact the sculpture under the same altar shows the adoration of the shepherds of Bethleham at the Navity of Christ. On each side one sees two personages of the Old Testament who heralded the mission of Christ the Saviour. On one side we find Melchisedech, while on the other we see David with the head of Goliath.

22c stamp: The Adoration of the Magi. “they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Mt.2;11). In this postage stamp the white colour with the golden background dominates once more. Rightly so,. Here the Blessed Virgin is seen presenting her baby son to the Magi. It is only the evangelist St. Matthew who mentions the coming of the Magi who represent all the kings of the earth. The greatness and the wisdom of these people contrast the pride and the arrogance of King Herold who was keen on killing the Baby Jesus. All this Cremona expresses in the profound homage of adoration of the three kings to the Babe of Bethlehem, the King of Kings. In the sculpture then we see the monogram “MR” which stands for “Mary Regina” along with her crown. Mary is Queen because she is the mother of Christ the King. In the meantime Cremona in this mosaic shows us Mary bowing her head in adoration to the Baby Jesus.

50c stamp: The Flight to Egypt. “An anger of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ”Arise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you;” (Mt. 2:13). In this mosaic that expresses hurried movement, Professor Cremona depicts the drama of the flight into Egypt. The hovering angel is seen shoeing the way that St. Joseph should follow to flee to Egypt. St. Joseph looks ready with his donkey to obey the angel’s command and to take Baby Jesus and His mother the Virgin Mary with him. The symbols of the sculpture too throw light on this event. The palm tree stands for the land of Egypt. Half of the immaculate lamb carrying the cross on its back reminds us how the people of God was freed from the slavery of sin through the shedding of blood of Christ, the immaculate Lamb of God.

During this beautiful season of Christmas may we have a chance to admire the beauty of the work of these Maltese artists, so that their artistic work that embellishes the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu help us admire the beauty and the greatness of God’s love towards us in becoming man and dwelling among us. Fr. Gerald Buhagiar.

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