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A Moravian Christmas

Historical greenery

From records preserved by the early Moravians, staff today knows that scenes of the Nativity were displayed in the late-18th century. At the Miksch House, standing, cutout figures of the Nativity characters painted in watercolors adorned a cloth-covered table. By 1840, original pictures of Bible stories held places of pride in parlor rooms, by a candle just behind them.

Like other early settlers, the Moravians decorated with the greenery that grew around them, a point not lost on the staff when they decorate now. Joanna Roberts, who supervises the “living history” interpreters, says the staff takes care to use native plants such as spruce, southern magnolia, American holly and eastern red cedar—all species that the Moravians would have used in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The true meaning of Christmas
Though they took time to decorate, Christmas to the Moravians was a reverent time, not one to be overtaken by the jolly festivities and of commerce. “Throughout the years,” says Roberts, “regardless of how the decorations changed, it was still viewed as a religious time. They viewed it that way even as outside influences were coming in.” among such secular influences were decorated Christmas trees.

Despite these changes, the core emphasis remained a religious one. The Moravians observed Advent as a time of for the Christ-child’s coming, the Christmas decorations going up on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. The Christmas season itself lasted for 12 days, until Epiphany.

Living Christmas

“Salem [was] never ,” says Caramia. “I think [the Moravians] were hardworking, religious,” he says. “But I also have a sense that they enjoyed life.”

Roberts agrees, “They were devout without being isolated.” And as such, the Moravians brought together the two most important aspects of Christmas—community and faith—throughout the year.

Vocabulary Focus

adorn(v)--- to add something decorative to a person or thing

secular (adj)--- not having any connection with religion

devout (adj)--- believing strongly in a religion and obeying all its rules or principles

 

Specialized terms

Epiphany (n)--- 主显节；显现节January 6, a Christian holy day which celebrates the coming of the three wise men to see the baby Jesus