Special Georgia post office draws hundreds for special Christmas tradition

BETHLEHEM, Ga. - At this time of year, a small town east of metro Atlanta comes alive because of its name and special holiday postmark.

Bethlehem, Georgia is located in Barrow County and has a population of a little more than 700 residents, according to the 2020 census.

"The little town under the star" was named after a local Methodist church and is always the scene of special activity around Christmas.

Many of the street names, including Star Street and Manger Avenue, come from the story of Jesus' birth.

One of the most popular attractions in town is the post office, which always sees a jump in customers every December because of its postmark.

The postmaster says that hundreds of people bring their Christmas cards in to get a special stamp that reads "Christmas Greetings from Bethlehem."

(City of Bethlehem)

The town uses a Flier canceler, a machine that is more than 100 years old. The device is no longer used in any other post office in the U.S.,  

"There are old ones at the plant in Atlanta that we get parts for this one," Postmaster Ada Czajkowski told the Gainesville Times in 2008. "When they were phased out, an office gave this one to Bethlehem, and we’ve been using it the past 40 years at Christmastime."

City officials say the tradition dates back to 1967.