Lititz Moravian Church Displays Traditional Putz Depicting Christ’s Birth Story (Lititz, Pennsylvania)

The Lititz Moravian Church will present its traditional putz this holiday season, offering a detailed depiction of the story of Christ’s birth. This display, known as a putz, is a Nativity scene on a grander scale but in miniature form. It includes elements beyond the traditional depiction of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, such as the Prophet Isaiah and the visit of the Wise Men.

The putz is housed in the lower level of the Moravian Church offices in Lititz and has been on display since the mid-1900s. The original diorama was crafted around the 1950s or ’60s and has been updated over time. Its current form, much like it was in the late 1970s, features natural bark and moss. The display includes vignettes that follow the biblical narrative from the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah to the annunciation to Mary by the angel.

The scene includes shepherds tending their sheep, a cave where Mary and Joseph seek refuge, a heavenly host of angels, the Star of Bethlehem, and the Wise Men traveling to offer gifts. The city of Jerusalem is depicted on a grand scale, while Bethlehem is shown as a small village. Figures are nestled in soft moss, and the sky is painted in shades of blue, framed by the mountains of the Judean countryside.

The most striking feature of the putz is the cloud-tossed sky painted by Lititz artist Sandy Roland, which serves as a backdrop for the Moravian star representing the Star of Bethlehem. This artistic detail enhances the visual storytelling of the Nativity narrative.

Historically, the tradition of displaying a putz at the Lititz Moravian Church began in the 20th century. Before that, Moravians displayed putzes in their homes rather than at the church. The concept of the putz is believed to date back to the 13th century, when St. Francis of Assisi used carvings to tell the story of the Nativity. In colonial America, Moravian church members continued this tradition with home displays.

In the early days of the Moravian Church in America, church members in towns like Bethlehem and Lititz would visit each other’s homes to see the putzes. Families prepared and decorated their own putzes, creating a friendly competition among neighbors to have the best display. This tradition reflects the community’s commitment to storytelling and faith through art.

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