An Old Salem Christmas 1840
By Karen Cecil Smith Illustrated by Bebe Phipps
Copyright © 2008 by Karen Cecil Smith. All Rights Reserved
2008 Parkway Publishers, Inc. Boone, North Carolina available from: Parkway Publishers, Inc. Post Office Box 3678 Boone, North Carolina 28607 www.parkwaypublishers.com Tel/Fax: (828) 265-3993
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Smith, Karen Cecil. An Old Salem Christmas, 1840 / by Karen Cecil Smith ; illustrated by Bebe Phipps. p. cm. Summary: In Old Salem, North Carolina, in 1840, a young Moravian girl and her mother celebrate Christmas with the traditional Children’s Lovefeast on Christmas Eve. Includes author’s note about this Moravian custom. ISBN-13: 978-1-933251-46-2 [1. Moravians--Fiction. 2. Christmas--Fiction. 3. Salem (Winston-Salem, N.C.)--Fiction.] I. Phipps, Bebe, ill. II. Title. PZ7.S65219Ol 2008 [E]--dc22 2008013989
Dedicated to the memory of those early Moravian settlers who brought their Christmas traditions to the New World. - K.C.S To all those who believed in me for so long and guided me along the way, and to Olivia for being my inspiration. - B.P
An Old Salem Christmas 1840
Christmas Eve had finally arrived! Anna drew a rabbit-shaped Christmas cookie from the jar and nibbled off its ears. Flavors of molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, and brown sugar melted in her mouth. Just two weeks ago, she and her mother had baked dozens of Christmas cookies. The cookie recipe they used came from the Moravians of Germany. Anna helped her mother roll out the paper-thin dough, then used tin cookie cutters to make shapes of animals, angels, stars, and hearts.
After eating her cookie, Anna walked into the sitting room where a fragrant cedar tree stood. She and her parents had decorated the tree with fruits and nuts. Nestled beneath the tree was a nativity scene. Anna touched the velvety green moss where the finely carved animals and figurines rested. As she looked at the nativity, Anna was reminded of the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth. She lovingly picked up the Baby Jesus, held Him for a moment, then carefully laid Him back in the manger.
“Anna,” her mother called out to her from the hallway. “It’s almost time for the Lovefeast.” The Children’s Lovefeast was scheduled for five o’clock. A Lovefeast for adults would be held later in the evening. Anna reached for her little white cap and tied its cherry red ribbons into a bow beneath her chin. Then she threw her black wool cape around her shoulders. “Ready, Mother!” Anna excitedly cried as she ran to the front door.
Outside, the air was so cold Anna could see her breath. Gray, fluffy clouds moved slowly across the sky. “Looks like snow,” Anna’s mother smiled. “Oh, Mother, that would be wonderful!” Anna had never seen snow at Christmas. “How I wish it would snow,” she said.
Inside the church a man was playing Christmas music on the big Tannenberg pipe organ. Branches of pine, sprigs of cedar, large magnolia leaves, and clusters of holly berries filled the church with Christmas cheer. Anna ran her fingers over the slick, shiny magnolia leaves and breathed in the aroma of fresh pine needles.
Anna thought that the Bishop looked like a magnificent giant. He wore a white robe. He surveyed the congregation through his spectacles, which were perched on the end of his nose. Anna walked timidly down the aisle, clutching her mother’s hand. When the Bishop’s eyes met Anna’s, he smiled. Anna smiled back. She and her mother took their seats in the section for females and quietly waited for the service to begin.
Suddenly, the doors at the front of the church opened wide! In walked ladies wearing white dresses. They were called Dieners, the German name for servants. Each one carried a basket filled with sweet Moravian buns. Anna pulled a little white handkerchief from her pocket and placed it on her lap. One of the ladies passed her basket of buns down the bench where Anna sat. When the basket reached her, Anna took out a bun. She laid the bun on her handkerchief. Her mouth watered with anticipation.
Soon the church doors opened wide again. Anna watched as several male Dieners walked in. Each one carried a wooden tray filled with white cups of sweet, creamy Lovefeast coffee. Anna wrapped her hands around the warm cup that was passed to her. She lowered her head and inhaled the rich coffee fragrance.
After everyone received a bun and cup of coffee, the Bishop prayed a special Moravian blessing. Come, Lord Jesus, Our Guest to be, And bless these gifts, Bestowed by Thee After he finished praying, the Bishop picked up his bun and began to eat. Now it was time for Anna to eat her bun and drink her coffee. The bun was delicious and the warm coffee was milky and sweet. While the children ate and drank, organ music played. Hushed whispers traveled throughout the church.
When the boys and girls had finished eating their buns and drinking their coffee, the Bishop told them the story of Baby Jesus. He said that Christmas was the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. After the Bishop spoke, the male Dieners returned to gather the empty coffee cups.
Then, in a soft voice, the Bishop began to sing a Moravian hymn. The congregation joined in. Anna was thrilled she knew all the words! Hail, thou wondrous infant stranger Born lost Eden to regain Two men accompanied the singing with violins. Anna’s voice rang out above the others as another favorite song followed. Christ the Lord, the Lord most glorious, Now is born; oh shout aloud
Just as the song service came to an end, nighttime fell on the village of Salem. The church grew dark. Anna shivered. She moved closer to her mother and took hold of her arm. All at once the doors at the front of the church opened wide again. In came the ladies. This time each of them held a brightly glowing candle. The men followed behind them, carrying trays filled with burning beeswax candles. The ladies handed a candle to every child.
Anna’s mother cautioned her to be careful with her candle. “Hold it straight and steady,” she told Anna. A red ribbon had been tied around the bottom of each candle to catch the melting wax. The sweet honey smell of beeswax drifted through the air. Anna stared at the candle’s golden flame. Its bright beauty reminded her of the star that led the wise men to Baby Jesus.
The Bishop raised his candle high and asked the children to do the same. After every candle was lifted, the church was filled with warm, golden light. Anna had never seen such a glorious sight! “Jesus Christ is the light of the world,” the Bishop said. “Those who follow Him will not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Children, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
“Mother, may I take the candle home with me?” Anna asked her mother after the Bishop ended the service with a prayer. “Yes,” her mother answered. “We’ll put it on the windowsill. The candle’s glow will let everyone know that our home is filled with the love of Jesus.”
At home, Anna placed the still burning candle in a holder on the windowsill. She and her parents stood silently and watched the yellow flame dance and flicker against the darkened windowpane. Soon all of the homes in the village were aglow with candlelight.
A chorus of voices broke the silence. “Carolers!” Anna exclaimed, running to open the front door. As Anna and her parents stood listening to the singers, a soft powdery snow began to fall. Anna’s wish had come true!
Before going to bed, Anna ran to the window and blew out her Lovefeast candle. She looked outside. The village streets and rooftops were white with snow. Anna climbed onto her cozy feather mattress and pulled the patchwork quilt up under her chin. She closed her eyes and thought about the Lovefeast. She thought about the Baby Jesus, Christmas carols, beeswax candles, the tree, and the nativity. She also thought about cookies and snow! On that Christmas Eve in Salem, so many years ago, Anna fell asleep with a smile on her face and love in her heart.
AUTHOR’S NOTE The first Moravian Lovefeast was held in 1727 Herrnhut, Germany. The service has its origin in the agape feasts of the early church described in the Book of Acts. Lovefeast is a time of singing, reading scripture, and breaking bread together in brotherly love. Throughout the year, Moravians incorporate the Lovefeast into special church occasions. During traditional American, Canadian, and European Lovefeasts, the congregation is served sweetened buns and coffee. In England, Holland, and Germany, tea is a favorite Lovefeast beverage. Lighted beeswax candles, trimmed with red ribbons or crepe-paper ruffs, are unique features of the Christmas Lovefeast service. Beeswax represents the purity of Christ. The candle flame symbolizes the light of love He brought into the world. The red trim reminds us of the blood Christ shed for our sins. The first time candles were given to children was during a Moravian Christmas Eve service held at a castle in 1747 Marienborn, Germany. It was not until the late 19th century that candles became a part of the adult Christmas Eve Lovefeast. The Moravian custom of placing candles in windows is called the Illumination. This custom had its beginnings in Herrnhaag, Germany, and spread to the Moravian settlements in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Today Christmas Lovefeasts are held in Moravian churches around the world. One need not be a Moravian to attend these special candle services. In the historic North Carolina village of Old Salem, the Lovefeast and other 18th and 19th century Moravian traditions can be observed and enjoyed by all.
Children’s Lovefeast, circa 1760. Courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.
A winter view of the square at Salem, North Carolina, circa 1850. Collection of the Wachovia Historical Society; photograph courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens.
For more information on Moravian history, consult the following resources: Old Salem Museums & Gardens 600 South Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 www.oldsalem.org Old Salem Museums & Gardens is America’s most comprehensive historic attraction, including the restored Moravian town of Salem and educational resources for learning about Moravians in the early South.
Moravian Museum of Bethlehem 66 West Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 Phone: 800-360-8687 www.historicbethlehem.org The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem is located in the 1741 Gemeinhaus, Bethlehem’s oldest building and a National Historic Landmark. Stories of the Moravian founders come to life in this authentic five-story log structure.
The Wachovia Historical Society P. O. Box 20803 Winston-Salem, NC 27120 Phone: 336-722-5020 www.wachoviatract.org The Wachovia Historical Society collects, preserves, and disseminates information on the history, antiquities, and literature of the Moravian church in the South.
The Moravian Historical Society 214 East Center Street Nazareth, PA 18064 Phone: 610-759-5070 Fax: 610-759-2461 Email:
[email protected] www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org The Moravian Historical Society presents the story of the Moravian church and its contributions to American history and culture.
About the Author:
KAREN CECIL SMITH An Old Salem Christmas, 1840 is Karen Cecil Smith’s first children’s book. While living in Winston-Salem and attending Salem College, she became interested in Moravian history. It was the beauty and authenticity of Old Salem Museums and Gardens, which surround the college campus, that inspired her to write this story. Karen is the author of Orlean Puckett: The Life of a Mountain Midwife, 1844-1939 and of many published articles, stories, and poems. She lives on a farm outside of High Point, North Carolina.
About the Illustrator:
BEBE PHIPPS Bebe Phipps grew up in Dudley, North Carolina. She currently resides in Winston-Salem where she attends Salem College. Bebe is working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Graphic Design. Art has always been her greatest desire. Some choose politics or mission work to change the world, but she has devoted her life to reaching the world through art. Bebe’s goal is to get in touch with audiences of all ages and unite them in a common experience, be it through her work in the studio or illustrations in a book.
