The Moravian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, continues to celebrate their unique Christmas traditions almost 300 years after the city was founded. These traditions include the 'putz,' a miniature Nativity scene, hand-crafting beeswax candles, and a 'lovefeast,' a communal meal and song service.
A Nativity scene is illuminated by a Christmas tree on Payrow Plaza in Bethlehem, Pa., known as “Christmas City, USA,” on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao) BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — On Christmas Eve in 1741, Moravian settlers named this Pennsylvania city after the biblical birthplace of Jesus.
Nearly 300 years later, Moravians continue celebrating their Christmas traditions in They include the “putz,” a Nativity scene that tells the story of Christ’s birth with miniature wooden figurines; the making of thousands of beeswax candles by hand as a symbol of the light that Jesus brought to the world; and a “lovefeast,” a song service where worshipers share a simple meal of sweet buns and coffee in their pews. “Like all Moravian traditions, the importance of it is that it brings people together,” said the Rev. Janel Rice, senior pastor of Central Moravian Church — Bethlehem’s first congregation and the oldest Moravian church in North America. “Building community, emphasizing that, over doctrine or dogma, is really the Moravian practice and tradition at our core,” she said. Central Moravian Church congregants sing at a “Lovefeast” service in Bethlehem, Pa., on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)Moravians relate to the story of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Rice said, because their ancestors began as a refugee church fleeing religious persecution. The Nativity is also a poignant reminder today, when the number of people fleeing their homes because of war, violence and persecution continues to rise worldwide.“It’s so crucial because this story is not just Jesus’s story of 2,000 years ago. It’s today’s story. And we need to make sure that we’re living the word that we were told when it comes to these refugees,” said church member Sarah Wascura. “That word is to give them refuge and to take care of them and to love them as ourselves.”The Moravian Church is one of the world’s oldest Protestant denomination
CHRISTIANITY MORAVIAN CHURCH CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS BETHLEHEM PENNSYLVANIA REFUGEES
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pennsylvania's Bethlehem: The city founded by Moravians on Christmas eve keeps its traditions aliveMoravian missionaries named the Pennsylvania city of Bethlehem after the biblical birthplace of Jesus on Christmas Eve in 1741.
Read more »
Pennsylvania's Bethlehem: The city founded by Moravians on Christmas eve keeps its traditions aliveBETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) — On Christmas Eve in 1741, Moravian settlers named this Pennsylvania city after the biblical birthplace of Jesus.
Read more »
Pennsylvania's Bethlehem: The city founded by Moravians on Christmas eve keeps its traditions aliveMoravian missionaries named the Pennsylvania city of Bethlehem after the biblical birthplace of Jesus on Christmas Eve in 1741.
Read more »
Moravian Christmas Traditions Continue in Bethlehem Nearly 300 Years LaterThe city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, celebrates its Moravian heritage with unique Christmas traditions, including the 'putz', beeswax candles, and the 'lovefeast'.
Read more »
Royal Christmas Gift Tradition: Open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?A look at the British Royal Family's Christmas gift-opening traditions, exploring the history behind opening gifts on Christmas Eve and the possibility of change in the future.
Read more »
Christmas Forecast: Chilly Start, Sunny Christmas Eve, Rain on Christmas DayThis week's weather forecast begins with chilly temperatures, but warms up to a beautiful Christmas Eve with sunny skies. Rain chances arrive on Christmas Day.
Read more »