Christmas Putz & Star & Candle Shoppe
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November 29, 2024 @ 1:00 pm
An event every week that begins at 1:00 pm on Friday, repeating until December 20, 2024
Christmas Putz
Since 1937, Central Moravian has been offering a Community Putz for the City of Bethlehem. Like a crèche, a putz tells the story of Jesus’ birth with carved figures. A cherished tradition, the Putz (from the German word putzen, meaning “to decorate”) retells the wonderful story of Christ’s birth through narration and music, while tiny lights illuminate each miniature scene. The figures, many of them antiques of German origin, are nestled amidst live moss, driftwood and rocks. The practice of putz building is uniquely Moravian. Bethlehem’s first settlers brought their putz figures with them in the 18th century. In Victorian days, it was the custom in Bethlehem for Moravians to “go putzing” during the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s, enjoying others’ putzes.
The Putz opens to the public Thanksgiving Friday, November 29. Hours are Thursdays & Fridays from 1 – 7 pm, Saturdays from 10 am – 8 pm, and Sundays from 1 – 5 pm. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After Christmas, the Putz is open daily from 1 – 5 pm through Dec 31st.
Star & Candle Shoppe
We are pleased to announce that the Moravian History Store of the Moravian Archives will partner with Central Moravian Church’s Star and Candle Shoppe for the 2024 Advent and Christmas season. Archives staff members, Kelly Givens and Emma Horning will provide History Store items for sale and manage the shop for four weekends, beginning on the day after Thanksgiving, November 29, and continuing each weekend through the week after Christmas. In addition, Central Church will be offering its own traditional gifts such as paper stars and beeswax candles. Both the Fundraising and the History Committees of the church will have items for sale, as well. The Moravian Archives was a popular vendor at the Star and Candle Shoppe in the 2019 season. We look forward to having the Archives return in this new,
expanded role. Central Church volunteers will be needed to join the Archives volunteers to staff the shop, which will be open during Putz hours. More information about sign-ups will be available in October.