2016 Christmas.

         Every year since 1960 New Zealand has issued special stamps for Christmas. Originally this was a single stamp but more recently has become a set of five or six stamp plus adhesives. Usually, this occurs much earlier, late October or early November, so mail carrying these stamps can reach their overseas destinations by Christmas day. 
         The 2016 Christmas issue featured five values showing five people from the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. It's a wonderful story, displayed with bright colour in five different images that, as we will find further down this page, become part of a much larger picture.
         Three of these stamps were also issued in an adhesive format for those who wish to buy larger quantities of these stamps.


The five values of the 2016 Christmas Issue.

The Five Stamps.
I want to do something a bit different with this post. Rather than just telling the story again, as been done so many times in past Christmas issues, I want to go back to the original version, found in God's word, the bible and use scriptures to tell  the story with the stamps used as illustrations.

$2.70 - Mary.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary
was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together,
she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.
                        Matthew 1:18.

$1.80 - Joseph.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded
him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate
their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name of Jesus.
                                   Matthew 1:24-25.

$1.00 - Jesus.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should
be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took
place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to
their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea,
to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and the
line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married
to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she
gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed
him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
                                Luke 2:1-7.

$2.20 - Shepherd.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds
said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that
has happened, which the Lord has told us about.
So they hurried  off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who
was lying in the manger.
                                Luke 2:15-16.

$3.30 - Wiseman.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod,
Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who
has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come
to worship him."
                          Matthew 2:1-2.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they
saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped
him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of  gold,
frankincense and myrrh.
                                              Matthew 2:10-11. 

The miniature sheet incorporated the five stamps into one scene.

First Day Covers.
 First Day Cover for the five gummed stamps.

 First Day Cover for the three adhesive stamps.

First Day Cover for the miniature sheet.



The Adhesive Stamps.
Three of the gummed stamps were also issued in an adhesive format. They were used in the booklets and dispenser that came with this issue.

Above are the three booklets for the three separate values, each containing 10 stamps. The two  $2.20 and $2.70 international booklets feature a ‘Buy 9 get 10’ offer.
Below is a dispenser box containing 100 x $1.00 stamps.




Other Collector's Items.
As is usual with most NZ Post issues, there are the items, especially supplied for collectors.

 

Set of Plate Blocks.                                                     Set of Value Blocks.

Set of Full Sheets.

"An advent calendar with a difference."
I don't know what to say about this item so I'll let NZ Post tell you.

"The nativity scene is expanded further on a very festive collectable - an advent calendar. Complete with a stable and animals, the advent calendar is a unique gift for children, grandchildren and the young at heart. Use it to countdown to Christmas day and behind each of the pockets, you’ll find a charming New Zealand Christmas illustration. Best of all, behind five of the pockets, you’ll find the five Christmas gummed stamps! Keep them as a beautiful collectable or use them on your Christmas mail."      NZ Post Website.


Technical information

Date of issue:2 November 2016
Number of stamps:Five gummed and three self-adhesive
Denominations:Gummed: $1.00, $1.80, $2.20, $2.70 & $3.30
Self-adhesive: $1.00, $2.20 & $2.70
Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by:Donna McKenna, Wellington, New Zealand
Printer and process:Southern Colour Print Ltd, New Zealand by offset lithography
Number of colours:Gummed: Four process colours, Self Adhesive: Four process colours plus red phosphor
Stamp size and format:Gummed: 35mm x 34.55mm, Self Adhesive: 25mm x 30mm
Paper type:Gummed Stamps: Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper
Self Adhesive stamps: Tullis Russell Red Phosphor PSA stamp paper
Number of stamps per sheet:25
Perforation gauge:14.286 x 14.47
Period of sale:Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 1 November 2017. First Day Covers will remain on sale until 1 January 2017