Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

 One of the more popular images on postage stamps is the Adoration of the Magi ( or more commonly known as The Three Wise Men) . On today's card, a 1998 Christmas stamp is featured on a stitched paper collage .  Here are some of the many  other stamps  telling the story of the Magi .... 

  23 December Christmas Countdown #25envelopes - the Magi - otherwise known as Three Wise Men or Three Kings , bearers of gold , frankincense and myrrh.   They  were distinguished foreigners in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition, perhaps coming from Persia, Ethopia and India. While three gifts have been named, the number of magi could have been different. However, three men are usually depicted in the Christmas story.  Again today , this envelope took its cue from the beautiful Christmas issue stamp . A simple collaged paper and fabric background and even more simplistic figures with minimal stitching are overshadowed by the the colourful design of the stamp . And some Christmas humour.... What would have happened if it had been three Wise Women instead of three Wise Men?  They would have asked directions,  arrived on time,  helped deliver the baby,  cleaned the stable,  made a casserole,  and brought practical gifts,...

M is for Magi ..  While children here are waiting excitedly for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas Eve with presents, some children will expect gifts from the Magi,   probably better known as the three wise men or the three kings.  The word 'magi'  (magus)  is an ancient word referring  to practitioners of  astrology, alchemy and other esoteric knowledge. The most current use of the word is applied to the men who according to the gospel of Matthew visited the baby Jesus soon after his birth. Most of the details  about the Magi are in an earlier post, featuring Caspar, one of the Magi. -  Christmas Countdown Characters #3 , so in this post, I will focus on the Hispanic tradition of "Dia de Reyes" (Day of the Kings)  which honours these Christmas icons.  Twelve days after Christmas, the Epiphany, is called Three Kings Day which is celebrated in  Latin America, Spain, and in Hispanic communities of the United States .Traditi...

Christmas Countdown ....14 ...   Three Wise Men;   The   Magi , known as Three Wise Men or Three Kings   in Christian tradition were a group of distinguished foreigners who visited  Christ   after his birth, bearing gifts of   gold ,   frankincense   and   myrrh . They are regular figures in tra ditional accounts of the  nativity  celebrations of   Christmas .  In Matthew's Gospel, they "came from the east"  and while a number is not mentioned, it is widely assumed because of the three gifts that there were three men.