間眅埶AV Christmas Vespers
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Christmas Vespers is a wonderful opportunity for the campus community to share in the beautiful candlelight ceremony that is distinctive of the 間眅埶AV tradition. Music performed by our students combines with the beauty of the Liturgy in this service to usher in the holiday season for the 間眅埶AV community.
We share the traditional 間眅埶AV candlelight worship services on six evenings in December.泭 Dates for the 2023 Christmas Vespers services are as follows. Prelude music begins 30 minutes before the start of the service.
- Friday, December 1, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 2, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, December 3, 5 p.m.
- Friday, December 8, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, December 9, 8 p.m.
- Sunday, December 10, 5 p.m.
Community Tickets and Viewing Opportunities
We are no longer accepting ticket requests for the Vespers services. All services are now full. The service will also be available via livestream on Saturday, December 2, and Sunday, December 10.泭Download the Vespers program to follow along.
- Saturday, December 2: 泭to watch live
- Sunday, December 10: 泭to watch live
If you have any questions regarding services or viewing access, please contact Lisa Brand at 610-861-1338 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by email at泭brandl@moravian.edu. Please do not call to have your name added to the wait list.泭
We look forward to sharing the Christmas Vespers services with you!
Morning Star Solo Audition Information
Children of all 間眅埶AV alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to audition for the Morning Star solo.
When:泭Monday, October 9 at 6 p.m.
Where:泭Peter Hall, Hurd Center for Music and Art
To schedule an audition, contact Dawn Rodriguez at泭610-861-1651 or泭rodriguezd03@moravian.edu泭
NOTE:泭Preference is given to singers who memorize the four stanzas of Morning Star, O Cheering Sight for their audition.
The泭Vespers泭Preview Concert will be held on泭Saturday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m.泭in Foy Concert Hall.
Past Vespers Service Recording and Program
Please enjoy the recording and program from the 2022 Christmas Vespers service:
間眅埶AV Vespers
The Vespers service is an expression of two traditional forms of worship in the 間眅埶AV Church, the Singstunde and the Candlelight Service. A 間眅埶AV Singstunde (Singing Hour) is a service of music with no preaching. Since the 1720s, 間眅埶AVs have been known for their worshipful singing.泭
In the service, the music has been carefully selected and arranged to bring the Christmas message without need of a sermon. The 間眅埶AV candlelight service originated in 1747 in Marienborn, Germany, when candles with red trimming were distributed at the childrens Christmas service. Bethlehems first candle service was in 1756.
The beloved hymn Morning Star, traditionally sung with a child soloist, was composed in 1836 by Francis Florentine Hagen, a member of the 間眅埶AV Theological Seminary Class of 1835.
間眅埶AV encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Anyone who anticipates needing any type of accommodation or who has questions about the physical access provided should contact Lisa Brand at brandl@moravian.edu or (610) 861-1338泭at least one week prior to visiting 間眅埶AV.泭