BETHLEHEM – It may be a town with just over 3,000 residents, but thousands of holiday cards come flooding into the unassuming post office on East Street every year for one reason: stamps.
The Biblical account of Jesus’ birth has remained central to the Christmas holiday, with the child of Mary being born in a manger in the Palestinian city of Bethlehem. Thousands of cards are sent through the Bethlehem post office in Connecticut so postmarks get stamped with the iconic name.
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The tradition was started in the town in 1938 by former Postmaster Earl S. Johnson. Those who walk through the door can sign a name in the town’s guest book and choose from 91 different stamps to press into their cards, which is completely free through Jan. 1.
Decorated for the season, the entire post office is themed around the holiday to get visitors in a festive mood. Last year, Postmaster Richard Kelly told CT Insider that during particularly busy days over the holidays, post office staffers add postmarks to as many as 10,000 pieces of mail.
A preview of several of the town’s available stamps can be found on the town’s website.
This article originally published at Bethlehem post office makes holiday special with iconic stamps.