The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-12-18

Cologne was built as Q shrine Co preserve especially the Felie& Of Magl and several German Stamps picture this magnificent piece of architecture.
 St. Francis of Assisl might also Do mentioned ct this particular point for his connection with tho celebration of Christmas. In hon. or Of this saint, Italy issued . series of stamps in 1927. 1t was ct Qreceio, Italy in 1928 that the first midnight mass Was celebrAt. cd ln tho open ak. A cave in tho wooded hillside he'd been conVerts cd Into c grotto os Bethlehem. A manager was covered and used as on altar, straw was scattered about end there was & living OK end ass, St. Francis impressed tho mystery of the first Chrlstfllas ct Bethlehem in the minds Of hB followers.
 Like SC. Nicholas, SC. Martin of Tours who died in Che year 400 Is closely connected with Christmas for his nature to visit the children ln France, especially ln the sees tions which border Germany. iEe was best noted for his charity. The BsFr in 1OSl and Austria in i097 Issued stamps in which eG Martin is shown dividing his ml il- taFy cloak with his sword, giving haif the cloak te . beggaF.
 The most popular saint at Christmas time Is St. Nicholas, known to oil tho world at Santa Claus. This saint Was honored by Switzerland when in 1880 6 stamp was Issued bearing the cost of arms Of TribouFg. St. Nicholas was a bishop Of Myra in ASla Minor and died there on Doc. c, 34S. The episcopal initer and eros sier are shown to the loft of the Swiss stamp, while to the right is seen q bible Testing on three balls above the inscription in French "Haint Nicelas." The three balls repreSsnt the purses with which the saint assisted thfee maidens, who on account of their poverty were in sore distress. The Anans eiai assistance became their dowFy, and the three purses be. came the symbol Of tho Saint Of Charity.
 Tn the middle ages families who depended upon the shipping trade for their income adopted et. Nichs OIas as their patron ana lncorp0. Fsted the three purses in their eoat Of erHis. Thls had special significance on LemdaFdy where these nebIes were successful iF their business ventures. They then became Hs0ney lenders, one wishing Co beEFew Elieney merely looked for the cost ef aFms Of thFee bells end there knew he e0uld set oil he wanted. The pawn brokers shops 0f cur day gre 90 diStiiisu)Sheds
 Exactly the same cost of arras is found on one of the present day issues Of Vatican City, but in this instance the Papai Cost Of Arms is included. Canada Fes members Santa Claus by placing the inscription Xmas, 1898 over . flap Of the world. This by the way k the only actual Christmas stamp ever issued,
 Any stamp from Natal Savers es Christmas s0F Natal is . sneans ing es Christmas. The lsnd was Glse0veFed by vasce Dc 0sma, . Portuguese, Che discovery taking place Dec, sBth, 14e7 and was named by its founder "Christmas Land.w
 Holland beasts of two Christi mas stamps, ono Of the charity variety Issued ir 1892 depicting the head Of 6 child together with 6 ChFistFnas-y0se, and according to the legend, iS . blessing of the infant Saviour and the Christ ChlIdb blessing viii De on tho house Of enc 90 fortunate as to come ecFosg one Of the blooms in the Christmas snow. The Neither. lands has an l..! Luz showing .