Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Carolling in Cathedral at Christmas" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20c NiccolinCowper Madonna, by Raphael stamp issued October 28, 1983. The magical season of Christmas is a time of merriment; but it is also a time for sincere reverence. On Christmas morning, churches all over the world hold special, joyous services to celebrate, with rich ceremony, the humble birth of the Savior of the World . . . Jesus Christ. Merriment and reverence are united by a special bond during this sacred time of the year. The sincere, yet joyful worship of Jesus Christ as the Babe of Bethlehem . . . born in humility . . . was especially stressed by St. Francis of Assisi. This Holy Saint is associated with Christmas because of his great love of the simple religious songs which were the forerunners of our modern Christmas carols. He once advised a devout Brother to mix light-hearted singing with his preaching -- "for what are the servants of God if not His minstrels, who ought to stir and incite the hearts of men to spiritual joy?" When St. Francis celebrated Christmas in Greccio in 1223 it was humble indeed . . . especially when compared with the Christmases of today, which involve diverse customs developed through two thousand years. But all Christmas customs, whether rooted in pagan festivals, folklore, or church rituals, express that "spiritual joy" of which St. Francis spoke . . . a resplendent joy to the world which we glory in manifesting, both in song and praise, during the magical season of Christmas. Image Size: 13.75 x 12 in. Overall Size: 16.75 x 14.75 in. Unframed. (B08334)