Old Salem, North
Carolina, follows the Christmas traditions of the Moravians from 1753 when the
first settlers arrived in this state. These German-speaking Protestants were
the first to settle on a 100,000- acre tract they had bought. On November 17, only
fifteen colonists founded Bethabara. After walking for six, long weeks from
Pennsylvania, they celebrated their safe journey with a simple meal and a love
feast.
The Moravian
Minister, Reverend Berhard Adam Grube, described their celebration, “While we
held our lovefeast, the wolves howled loudly, but all was well with us and our
hearts were full of Thanksgiving to the Savior who had so graciously guided us
and led us.”
This simple tradition
celebrated unity, liberty, and love for the participants, and these are still the
characteristics of what a love feast today continues to commemorate. Since all people
are welcome to participate, the unity of Christians is affirmed. Since a simple
repast is offered, a sense of large family occurs, as both strangers, friends,
and family break bread together. The lighted beeswax candles remind all of the
light of Jesus’ love. Red, ruffled ribbons were added to symbolize the lighting
of a new flame in the hearts of all the worshippers. Scripture readings,
prayers, hymn-singing, the lighting of candles, and the serving of Moravian
buns and coffee comprise the parts of this service.
Today, this simple meal is served by the women in
the church; they are called dieners, a German word for servants. They pass
large baskets of yeast buns, just like they are collection plates. Dressed
inlong white aprons, the men carry heavy trays of coffee to each row. A unique fellowship
in the church family happens with this sharing.A grace was prayed in unison.
“Come, Lord Jesus, our guest to be, And bless these gifts bestowed by Thee.
Amen” is the customary Moravian prayer.
Decorating, then and
today, is with live greenery, candles, and creches. On Christmas Eve, there is
a love feast at the Home Moravian Church in Old Salem, and they light twenty
dozen candles for a soft glow. The candlelight slows down the senses and
focuses thoughts on the true meaning of Christmas. It is the birthday of the
Light of the World.
The Women’s
Fellowship of Home Moravian Church puts together and hosts Candle Tea at the
Single Brother’s House each year. Both visitors and residents view it as the
very beginning of the Advent and Christmas season. Simple costumes are worn by
the hosts and hostesses.
Several years ago, my husband John and I enjoyed aCandle
Tea in Old Salem, NC. I can still taste that sweet, hot, milky coffee and the
Moravian sugar cake that was served. It was melt-in-my-mouth delicious! Though
sharing this time of fellowship with complete strangers, we exchanged smiles
and sighs of pleasure.
We also sang Christmas carols to the accompaniment
of the 1797 Tannenberg organ, viewed the putz/miniature village replica of
early Salem and a Nativity scene of hand-carved characters, and listened to the
Christmas story.
As I absorbed this time in the Single Brothers’
House, I was as wide-eyed as any child and walked out of the building looking
up to the grandeur of a starry night. Once again, Christmas caught me.
Food brings friends, families, and communities
together. Whether it is a holiday meal where many contribute or a shared cup of
hot tea with ginger snaps for dipping between two friends, the time is about
fellowship and remembrance. In the South, both are vital.
Religion and community life blended together on the
same path in a Moravian community in early America. Their old-style love feasts
have stood the test of time.
There are recipes available for you to bake your own
sugar cake. Or you might want to know that Winkler’s Bakery in Old Salem will
ship you one or two.
It is the season to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is
given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be
called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince
of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
by Sheila Ingle
"Sheila Ingle’s husband John was brought up in Ingle Holler in Union, South Carolina, with eight other Ingle families. They worked together in the mills, shared their gardens, attended church, and enjoyed the playing and singing of the songs from the Grand Ole Opry. When five of the brothers went off to war, those who couldn’t fight took care of their families. The Ingles stuck together, just like they were taught in the Appalachian hills of Erwin, Tennessee.
Love of God, love of family, and love of country were modelled in each home. In fact, one year Make Ingle put his sons and grandsons together to build Hillside Baptist Church. Adults kept up with the newspapers and the radios; world happenings were important. Any type of sickness brought a barrage of soup and cornbread,because children still had to eat.
On those twenty acres, the children played in the creek, cowboys and Indians, and hide-and-seek. They built their own wagons and sleds to race down the hill on the dry, hickory leaves. All the boys learned to shoot a .22 caliber, and John’s mother Lois could light a match with her shots.
Living in Ingle Holler was home, where each one was accepted."
Her published books, Courageous Kate, Fearless
Martha, Brave Elizabeth, and Walking withEliza focus on the bravery
of Patriot women living in Revolutionary War South Carolina.Tales of a Cosmic Possum, not only
shares Ingle family history, but also South Carolina and cotton mill history.
Serving on
the board for eight years of Children’s Security Blanket (a 501c3 organization
that serves families that have children with cancer), she is the Board
Chairman. She is also a member of Chapter D PEO, where she served as vice
president and chaplain; Circle 555(a local women’s giving group), where she has
served on the grant committee; and a board member of Spartanburg County
Historical Association, serving on the Walnut Grove Committee.
In her church, First Baptist Spartanburg, she was a
Sunday School teacher for the youth for fourteen years, served as a
discipleship leader for girls, and as chaperone for retreats. Besides leading a women’s Bible study for
twenty-seven years, she has substituted as an adult teacher. For five years,
she led the women’s ministry of her church.
Married for thirty-eight years to John Ingle, they
have one son Scott. Besides being avid readers, the South Carolina beaches are
their favorite spots for vacations.
sheilaingle.com
@sheilaingle1
Facebook: Sheila Ingle, Author
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