This stamp in its miniature postage stamp size had blipped through my awareness earlier this day when I visited not one but two Post Office in search for the Madonna and Christ Child Christmas stamp.(Which by the way the Post Office has issued each Christmas season since 1962.) Both times the Postmaster said “this is it-- this is the religious stamp this year.”
One Postmaster said “This -‘Three Wise Men’ is all we have. You might check on line and perhaps they still have 2011 Madonna.” Trying to make up my mind I asked to see the stamp a little closer. With a half hearted giggle, I told him this was NOT the Three Wise Men. “What makes you think it isn’t?” he replied. That’s when I really giggled and said “because as best I can make out there are only 2 people on here and a baby and a donkey.. And the booklet cover says Holy Family.”
He chuckled back at me and said “Thanks, now I won’t be unwisely calling it the three wise men all season.”
I left the post office very disheartened and frustrated. I grouched most of the day like - “But I wanted a Madonna stamp.” I called my sister Clara and asked if she had time for me to vent. “This new stamp is not my idea of the Christmas stamp”. “IS the flight to Egypt even part of the Christmas story, or did it happen months or even years later?” “It’s a dark silhouette and it’s ugly.” “I am upset that they decided to change something that has been so beautiful as the medieval paintings of the Madonna and Christ child stamps.” “I am going to write somebody about this!”
Then later in the next day while looking on line for the Madonna and Christ Child stamp I came across an enlarged image of the new Christmas stamp. It stopped me in my tracks!
At a time when the whole world seems to be changing before our eyes — with economies being shattered, social norms being challenged and even the security of constitutional freedoms are being infiltrated — here we see a family uprooted from everything they know, everything “normal” and comfortable and familiar. Not only are they are unable to simply “go back” to the way things were, they are being led into something totally different, with nothing to go on, but trust.
There is nothing going on in this world, or in our personal lives, for which Scripture and the life of Christ does not offer an instructive solution. This stamp, this image, is an invitation to the whole world to trust God because he is always faithful. It says, “I know the plans I have for you ”; it says “fear not, I am with you…”; it says “do not worry about tomorrow…”.
We are creatures who, have willfully embraced the illusion that we are in control of everything, when in fact, the only thing within our control is our decision to trust or to doubt; to believe or not.
This year the U.S. Postal service just happened to select a Christmas image that brings us a powerful reminder of that truth. “The Flight to Egypt” stamp also bears the word “Forever”. We are meant to forever trust in God.
Call it a coincidence, if you want but, I see the Holy Spirit’s influence all over this.
