2014Christmas - Special Folder

Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielemis a yearly production staged by the inhabitants of Ghajnsielem in Gozo. It seeks to replicate, in a live manner, the atmosphere and environs of Bethlehem at the time when Jesus Christ was born over 2000 years ago. It spans over an area of twenty thousand square meters and includes features found in a traditional Christmas crib such as the carpenter and blacksmith's dwellings; a bakery, an open-air market, a tavern, a farmhouse and the Bethlehem Inn.

The focal point of this setting is certainly the stable, including baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph complete with live animals. Each dwelling is inhabited and animated by whole families, so as to remind visitors that Christmas is also a celebration of the family. The event commences with the re-enactments of Mary and Joseph's trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem and is concluded with the adoration of the Magi on the Epiphany.

Leading photographer Daniel Cilia took the photos featured on the stamps. The 0.26 stamp draws focus on Mary and Joseph with the newly born Jesus while the stamp bearing a denomination of 0.59 gives prominence to the three kings as they visit the Holy Family.
The 0.63 stamp features two shepherds close to a fire with the Gchurch in the background while the 1.16 stamp features a long shot of the Holy Family in the stable.