Joy to the World

I featured one of Liechtenstein's "Mountain Chapels at Christmas" stamps last year and couldn't resist sharing another one this year as I imagine it settling into its snowy redoubt as Christmas approaches.  This is the highest place of worship in Liechtenstein, where it stands beneath the Ochsenkopt (7,500m/2,286 ft) and above the mountain village of Malbun.  It was built in 1950/1 as a Chapel of Peace after World War II and designed by the Swiss painter and architect Johannes Hugentobler (1897-1955) who also created the round stained glass window which can be seen on the card. Thanks to Flickr one can see what this beautiful  window looks like from the inside here.

Erich Beck's painting on the stamp makes the building look very welcoming with the lights shining through the windows into a dark night.

1973: Christmas

I couldn't find any round stained glass windows in my collection but did find one from the Saint Sauveur church on Guernsey which also features Mary and Jesus, this time accepting gifts from the Magi

and here are the Magi on their journey following the star. Part of Australia's 2011 set which consisted of three secular and these two religious stamps

They were designed by Gavin Ryan who I always associate with his whimsical and amusing Road Trip stamps but Australia Post's choice of artist must be for his story telling abilities. 

An entry to Sunday Stamps II theme - Christmas (religious) - more beatitudes here