 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2015) |
A Christmas village (or putz) is a decorative, miniature-scale village often set up during the Christmas season. These villages are rooted in the elaborate Christmas traditions of the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination. In the tradition of the Moravian Church, nativity scenes have been the center of the Christmas putz, which is "built to tell the Good News of the coming of the Christ Child" and "is the Gospel in miniature from Isaiah’s prophecy and Mary’s annunciation to the visit of the wisemen and the flight into Egypt."[1][2] For Moravian Christians, the nativity scene serves to celebrate "the story of the wonder of Christ’s birth so that the Son of God can be welcomed into the hearts of the home at the Christmas."[1][2] Mass-produced cardboard Christmas villages became popular in the United States during the early and mid-20th century, while porcelain versions became popular in the later part of the century.
- ^ a b "The Putz and Illumination". Moravian Church. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ a b Hillinger, Charles (25 December 1985). "The Star of Bethlehem Is Moravian Church Tradition". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 December 2023.