Moravian Christmas Traditions
Watertown Moravian Church
                                             The Moravian Star

The first star was believed to have been designed as a geometry project in the
Moravian School at Niesky, Germany, about 1850.
The star is displayed in church and homes from the the first Sunday in Advent
to Epiphany.
The many-pointed star is symbolic of the of Christ's concern for all people as
his church reaches everywhere.
The bright light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world
Some of the early stars and a few later versions had alternating red and white
points.
                                              The Putz

The "Putz" (a German word for "decoration") is placed at the front of the
sanctuary.
The displaying of a manger scene in churches dates back to the Middle
Ages in Europe.
The Moravians brought the tradition of the Putz when immigrating to the
Lehigh River area in Pennsylvania as early as the middle 1700's.
                                          The Moravian Candle

The Moravian Candle was first used over 250 years ago.
On Christmas Eve in Marienborn Castle in Saxony, Germany, Bishop John
DeWatteville tied red ribbons on the children's candles for their Christmas
Eve worship which is believed to be the first symbolic use of candles at
Christmas.  The next year a service was held in nearby Herrnhut (Germany)
and the tradition of candlelight worship was established.
The red ribbons are a reminder of our Lord's death and resurrection for us.  
When lit, the flame symbolizes Christ, the Light of the World.  
The earliest record of a candlelight worship in North American was in
Bethlehem, PA, in 1754.
The Moravian church worldwide continues the tradition.
The candles are made of beeswax to show the purity of Christ.
                                                 Morning Star

The hymn, "Morning Star", was written in 1657.  
The antiphonal version was written in 1836.
Most often a child or children are asked to sing the solo parts.