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| Bethlehem, CT Post Office. |
Saturday December 14, 2013.
Like so many times in the past, I went to Bethlehem today to mail my Christmas cards. This year I went alone. I think Richard was apprehensive about going because of the weather forecast: Winter Storm Warning! (and it did snow a bit this morning but the worst came later, at evening and during the night).
I have been mailing my Christmas cards from Bethlehem since I don't know when (one of these days I will have to actually check my files and try to figure it out)-I think it has been every since I moved to Connecticut. I like posting them from Bethlehem because I hope it reminds people of what Christmas is really supposed to be about. I wonder how many people notice that my cards are postmarked from Bethlehem?
Each year they have a new cachet. This year's (#77) features 26 angels in the shape of a tree to honor the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in nearby Newtown, Connecticut.
I also like to use the "religious" postage stamp (usually a madonna & child) to further remind people of the "true" meaning of Christmas. This year's stamp features Jan Gossaert's 1531 painting "Virgin and Child." Draped in purple and blue, the Virgin Mary supports her own head by leaning on one of her hands, an unusual pose that art historians see as a sign of sadness and contemplation. In her other hand, a curly-haired infant Jesus draped in white holds a bunch of red currants, which scholars believe are meant to foreshadow his future suffering. Gossaert's painting is currently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Every year I struggle with finding an appropriate card. Recently so many cards are printed in China. (I won't purchase any Chinese cards because they are produced using "slave" labor plus production in China has eliminated decent paying middle-class jobs here in the USA. I don't know how anyone can morally purchase Chinese products when USA produced items are available.).
This year I tried cards designed and made by the local Catholic Worker organization. There were two (2) designs:
Because there was nothing inside the cards, I added an image I found on the website of the nearby Abbey of Regina Laudis (Bethlehem, CT). I went twice before Christmas to try to purchase cards made by the Abbey but each time there were nun (pun intended).
Addendum (1/1/2014): As has been my practice for several years, I included a "Annual Highlight" report in most of my cards. I sent to all family members and some friends. This year I did not include a "secret message" because...frankly, I forget in the rush to complete (plus I wasn't feeling good when I was finishing up).
Links:
Every year I struggle with finding an appropriate card. Recently so many cards are printed in China. (I won't purchase any Chinese cards because they are produced using "slave" labor plus production in China has eliminated decent paying middle-class jobs here in the USA. I don't know how anyone can morally purchase Chinese products when USA produced items are available.).
This year I tried cards designed and made by the local Catholic Worker organization. There were two (2) designs:
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| No Room at the Inn. |
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| Oh Come Let Us Adore Him. |
Because there was nothing inside the cards, I added an image I found on the website of the nearby Abbey of Regina Laudis (Bethlehem, CT). I went twice before Christmas to try to purchase cards made by the Abbey but each time there were nun (pun intended).
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| Our Lady of the Red Dress. |
Addendum (1/1/2014): As has been my practice for several years, I included a "Annual Highlight" report in most of my cards. I sent to all family members and some friends. This year I did not include a "secret message" because...frankly, I forget in the rush to complete (plus I wasn't feeling good when I was finishing up).
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| 2013 Highlights |
Links: