Key Components of the Service

• Simple Meal: Traditionally, participants are served a slightly sweet Moravian bun and chocolate or sweetened coffee. Depending on the occasion, alternatives like sugar cake, apple juice, or lemonade may be served.

• Dieners: The meal is served by "dieners" (German for "servants"), lay members of the congregation who distribute the food and drink while the congregation sings hymns.

• Candlelight Service: At Christmas Eve Lovefeasts, handmade beeswax candles trimmed with red paper are passed out and lit. The red trim represents Christ's sacrifice, while the beeswax and flame symbolize his purity and divinity as the "Light of the World".

• Music and Fellowship: The service is rich with music, featuring choirs, brass ensembles, and traditional hymns like "Morning Star". It is intended to foster a sense of community, with participants often described as "breathing together" while they sing.

History & Significance

• Revival: The Moravian Church revived the tradition in 1727 in Herrnhut, Germany.

• North America: Introduced to North America in the 1730s and 1740s, becoming a staple in Moravian communities like Salem (now Winston-Salem), NC, and Bethlehem, PA.

• Symbolism: The candle flame signifies Jesus's humanity (wax) and divinity (light), with the red paper linking to His sacrifice and our mission to spread His love. 

How It Works (Christmas Example)

1. Attendees gather, receive a candle, and enjoy the simple meal (coffee & bun).

2. Hymns are sung, scriptures read, and sometimes anthems performed.

3. At the climax, candles are lit, and participants hold them upright, bearing the light of Christ into the world. 

For more information about the Moravian Church in America, visit www.moravian.org