Issue 7 November 2023 Christmas stamps

Advent and purple also point to what is to come: Heaven and earth were united at the birth of Jesus. Purple is namely a mixture of red, the colour of the earth, and blue, the colour of the sky. In the church, Advent also means that we must prepare our thoughts, minds and hearts to receive Jesus.

This year’s Christmas stamps depict churches; Alstahaug, which was the home church of Petter Dass, and Oppdal, the home church of the stamp artist. Alstahaug church is a stone-built medieval church on the island of Alsten south of Sandnessjøen in Nordland county in Norway. The soapstone church was built in the 12th or 13th century.

Oppdal church is a slatted timber cruciform church with a small crossing tower. Its exterior is clad with vertical panels. The church was built around 1650 and was the natural centre of the village right up until recent times.