Our Family Christmas Card
2023
Cover Artist: Sapper
As the curtain falls on this year, we can pause to reflect on the loving presence of those dear to our hearts. It has been a year which has seen great joy, sorrow, and remarkable global events whose impact transcends time. Amidst the world's unfolding stories, the passing of my beloved maternal grandmother, Bernice Webster, weaved a thread into the tapestry of 2023 —a poignant reminder to cherish the memories that shape our life's journey. Flanked by Jesse and me, her matriarchal legacy takes center stage in this year's image —a symbol of resilience, gracefully embodied in the grand club chair. This echoes the strength she carried throughout her life and mirrors the collective strength demonstrated by communities worldwide in the face of global challenges. Above, hangs a new rendering of my Armorial bearings signifying my appointment as the National President of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, emphasizing my commitment to preserving the cultural identities and diverse histories of all people. The portrait of King Charles the Third nods to the historic celebrations of his coronation, and welcoming of our new Monarch this year, while also offering a glimpse into the evolving leadership on the global front. Finally, a spruce Christmas tree, adorned with decorations, symbolizes hope and renewal, inviting us all to find joy in shared celebrations and anticipate the possibilities of the coming year.
The 2023 card captures more than just a moment; it encapsulates a rich narrative, weaving together threads of family, duty, heritage, and celebration—a snapshot where past, present, and future converge in a harmonious blend of love and memory, echoing the stories that define who we are.
Let this festive season provide each of us with the opportunity to extend compassion, warmth and love to all those around us.
2022
Cover Artist: Alexander Liptak
There have been many things to celebrate this year, and yet we also must pause, to pay homage and tribute to those who have departed this earthly abode. It should come as no surprise that the much-loved Paddington bear, would make an appearance this year to honour our late Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth the second. Holding in his hand, the distinctly famous red dispatch box, with the Royal Cypher of ER2. We could not have picked a more festive yet poignant reference to the Queen, who shall be deeply missed. She is the only monarch for whom many of us have known, and, to the author of this card, the sovereign to whom, I have served for 20 years. The black mourning band is in remembrance of Frank Matthys, who also passed away in the latter part of this year. The Reindeer symbolizes safe journeying and endurance through travels, for which we have navigated through another year of pandemic and have returned to a normal state of affairs. A cloak of my arms keeps the reindeer warm in the deep snow, and the chain around its neck has reference to the Canadian provinces and territories. In the background, we see the majestic and resilient blue spruce, which is a tree with much symbolism and meaning to my childhood and were given out at my 40th birthday celebration this year. High in the sky appears the north star, which like the wise men of Maji, will hopefully lead us on the path to the New Year and all the great blessings which we hope will come.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."
— Hamilton Wright Mabie
2021
Cover Artist: Stefan Amatiesei
Cantet nunc io, chorus angelorum Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
We both might have made our first appearance in this year Christmas card!
With a hard and troubled year behind, it is now time to sing like a choir of angels in exultation. The candle (lower left) burns bright and displays the hatchment of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh and is a memorial to all those we have lost this year, and keep in our hearts. As the COVID-19 pandemic is still upon us, we see a small boy with his scarf over his mouth and nose in an allusion to the masks we wear in our daily life, to help prevent the spread of the virus. The patch upon his sleeve, bearing the coat-of-arms of the card artist. Dressed in his uniform the Captain, proudly wears on his breast the Order of St. John of Jerusalem for which Jason was invested this year. The background of the card is filled with maple leaves, thistles, and hops. This year we have seen people around the world united in harmony, helping to make this world a better place. Let us continue to sing together the songs of peace and goodwill as we embrace the wonders of the New Year.
2020
Cover Artist: Stefan Amatiesei
Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! This has been a year that has called upon us to come together and find reasons to be triumphant as we aid our neighbours and care for one another. We see a knight, saddled with his helmet visor closed in protection from the elements, as they make the harsh winter journey home. His steed, noble in its trot, aids him in his endeavors after a long year of uncertainty. A lantern of light guiding the way towards hope that the year to come will be better, and rests on a pedestal depicting the Moldovian Bull’s head [ancestorial home of the artist]. The broken and weathered shield cast onto the ground with the Roman numerals for 2020, alluding to the rough year the world has endured. Looming in the background you see a 17th-century plague doctor casting his light upon the village, in the traditional mask thought to prevent catching the virus of its time.
We have learned much from this year, but must remain vigilant in our efforts to stay the course, social distance, and help one another.
“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.”
―Winston Churchill
2019
Cover Artist: Alexander Liptak
In this enchanting Christmas tableau, Saint Nicholas of Myra, revered for his generosity and benevolence, is adorned with a jewelry coronet mitre embellished with four strawberry leaves and four pearls of a Marques. Clad in regal red robes, fur-lined, holding his crosier and cradling the Christ Child, a divine glow enveloping the infant's head, Saint Nicholas embodies the spirit of giving and compassion with a rich historical legacy. Kneeling in quiet reflection at their feet is a noble in majestic purple attire and a knight in armour, his sword respectfully reversed in homage to the Christ Child. The foreground is adorned with the proud armorial bearings of Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, representing the Dominion of Canada, alongside those of my own. However, lurking in the shadows is Krampus, the folklore figure with roots in Alpine traditions, known for instilling fear in misbehaving children during the Christmas season. This masterfully crafted scene brings together religious, regal, and mythical elements, creating a captivating narrative that captures the spirit of the season while nodding to the fascinating history of Krampus.
2018
Cover Artist: Alexander Liptak
In his master’s step, he trod, where the snow lay dinted. Heat was in the very sod, which the Saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure wealth or rank possessing. Ye, who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
The cover depicts Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia [for which the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslaus was written about] shielding a page boy from the elements, as he guides him through the deep snow, on the way to the Feast of Stephen. You can see a ducal coronet of eight strawberry leaves upon his head, and the armorial bearings of the house of Přemyslid faintly on the surcoat. The page boy holds firmly a banner of my arms, and in his right hand a candle lantern to lead the path to a New Year.
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