Volume XIV
Number 30
THE STATE
A Weekly Survey of North Carolina
December 21
1946
Entered
В»
sccond-clais matter. June I. 1933. at the Po*ton>cc at Raleigh. North Carolina, under the Act of March 3. 1879.
The Moravian Lovefeasts
TIi is beautiful old custom* started by the
Moravians several centuries ago, is still in
effect and is just as impressive as it was dur¬
ing the days of long ago.
ON Christmas Eve when the
last-minute shoppers are
frantically searching for al¬
most forgotten presents, when the
last turkey along with the cran¬
berry sauce and plum pudding has
been borne home, there are certain
groups of children and adults who
are experiencing the true meaning
of Christmas in a thrilling, yet
quiet manner. Wherever there are
Moravian churches, the Christmas
Lovefeasts are about to be held
during the afternoon and evening.
No matter how small and simple
the church itself, on this day the
building will be adorned with tra¬
ditional Christmas greens that give
off a spicy, woodsy fragrance.
There will be a multi-pointed
Christmas star high above the
altar. Lighted tapers will give a
soft radiance to the scene — a radi¬
ance reflected in the eyes of the
audience who are to be told the
ever-new old story, sing the be¬
loved carols, and know the sweet
fellowship of eating and drinking
together. Thus with simplicity and
grace, with the wholesomeness of
a bun and hot coffee, but above all
with a joyous feeling of love and
gratitude, the Moravians commem¬
orate the birth of the Christ child
with truly a Lovefeast.
Origin in Holy Writ
This beautiful custom, tradi¬
tional with this particular denomi¬
nation, has its origin in Holy Writ.
During the first century the mem¬
bers of the early Christian church
often shared a meal in common
which either preceded or followed
the communion service. However
its observance was forgotten dur¬
ing the subsequent passage of time
until the practice naturally re-
THE STATE. December 21. 1946
By CLAIRE ELLIOTT
asserted itself in the eighteenth
century.
On August 13, 1727, a small band
of Moravians living in Herrnhut.
Saxony, under the protection of
Count Zinzendorf, walked to the
parish church of Berthelsdorf, a
village about one mile distant. The
purpose of this meeting was com¬
munion. This service, upon a
bright Tuesday morning, was par¬
ticularly blessed, and with grateful
hearts the band of devoted worship¬
pers stood talking together and
praising God for His goodness and
mercy. Count Zinzendorf, the
patron and protector of this mi¬
nority group, noticed the fellow¬
ship. Immediately he sent to the
manor house for a light repast
which was served on the grounds
of the estate. This meal probably
consisted of a roll and a piece of
meat. The Count, being a godly
man well versed in scripture, de¬
clared that this was truly a love
feast, following as it did the com¬
munion service and arising from
the spontaneous expression of their
faith and love. Ever since that
day the Moravians have held love¬
feasts on the occasion of the big
church festivals such as Christmas
and Easter as well as on the im¬
portant anniversary dates of Au¬
gust 13 and November 13.
Other Observances
In addition to these main congre¬
gational lovefeasts there originally
were others of a more personal
nature. On birthdays it was a com¬
mon practice to ask friends and
family to gather at the church,
join in hymns and prayers and par¬
take of buns and coffee or a simple
meal. The funeral lovefeast was
also observed most frequently.
Since there was no professional
nursing care available, the sick
were dependent upon family and
friends to attend them during ill¬
ness. Therefore as a gesture of
gratitude and courtesy, many per¬
sons made provision in their wills
for a lovefeast to be consummated
some time after death at which
the family and those who had as¬
sisted at the fatal illness and
funeral were to be present. This
was to be a joyous occasion during
which time sweet fellowship and
happy memories of the deceased
were to be entertained. In the
(Continued on page 19)
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