Germans will be able to buy a special Christmas post stamp this Christmas with the message the angels told the shepherds the night Jesus Christ was born in Betlehem.

“Do not fear” is written on a special stamp presented by the Finance Ministry of the German government with the painting by Johann Michael Hertz (1725 – 1790). The cost of the stamp is 1.20 euros, of which 40 cents will go to support the social work of the national federation of welfare workers.

Last year’s special Christmas stamp was sold around 2.7 million times.

The official press release of the government comments on this year’s stamp: “Angels announce. They bring a promising message of hope and protection, comfort and encouragement, a message of great joy for all people in the world. At the centre of the Christmas story is the announcement of the angel: Fear not. God is close in the midst of this world”.

… And a coin

Additionally, a collector coin was also presented, titled “Christmas – The birth of Christ”. In the Ministry’s press release, it says: “The Christmas festivity and the message of the birth of Christ: ‘God becomes a human being’, are deeply rooted in our culture. The emission [of this coin] is the start of a new series of coins on the theme ‘Christmas’”.

The image on the coin of Joseph, Mary and the child has been created by sculptor Adelheid Fuss. The coin has the value of 25 euros.