Professor Davison advises Royal Mail on 2025 Christmas stamps

The stamps, designed by award-winning illustrator Paula Doherty, celebrate the artistry of surface and texture. Drawing inspiration from inlaid marble, enamelling, marquetry and collage, the designs convey a rich, handcrafted quality and a contemporary interpretation of the Nativity story.

The collection depicts the following:

• Angel (2nd Class)
• Mary and Joseph (2nd Large Letter)
• Mary and the Baby Jesus (1st Class)
• Shepherds (1st Large Letter)

Three Wise Men (£3.40)

As reported in the Oxford Mail, Professor Davison and Professor Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London, were asked by the Royal Mail to assist the development of this year's Christmas stamp collection. Professor Davison advised on the theological and artistic interpretation of the Nativity themes featured in the series, while Professor Quash wrote the text that accompanied the stamp issue.

‘I wasn’t expecting to feature in the Oxford Mail, reporting on the advice I’ve given the Royal Mail on their Christmas stamps over the years,’ Professor Davison said. ‘The fact that they seek out the expertise of someone from a Faculty of Theology and Religion shows how seriously they take the design of their stamps, and the text in the presentation packs.’

He added: ‘I had a friend at NASA who was consulted by Google extensively, ahead of the appearance of an astronomical "Google Doodle" for one day only: the change to the Google logo that marks anniversaries and celebrations in the calendar. My experience shows that the Royal Mail and the artists they work with are just as careful, wanting to make sure that the designs for Christmas stamps are faithful to the Biblical accounts of the Nativity story – although of course artistic licence is also important – and that the accompanying text is accurate. They’re also keen to take a wide range of religious perspectives seriously, and not to cause unnecessary offence.’

Among his past work for the Royal Mail, in 2021 Professor Davison wrote the booklet notes for that year's Christmas stamps (on ‘The Ordinary and the Extraordinary in the Christmas Story’) and contributed a piece for a Royal Mail Yearbook on animals in depictions of the Nativity.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy at Royal Mail, commented: ‘For many people, once the Christmas stamps go on sale, the seasonal preparations can begin! There’s something truly magical about this time of year, and these stamps capture that spirit perfectly.’