From the Pastor

Christmas is always a very special time for Christians of all denominations, but it is especially sweet for Moravians.  The spectacular Advent Star, the fellowship while wrapping candles, the smell of coffee and beeswax, the children singing Morning Star are all traditions that are deeply entwined with our hearts.  To be sure, none of these traditions are holy and sacrosanct, but for us they are deeply loved emotional reminders that point us to the worship of the child Christ.

As we prepare for this busy and bustling season, it is hard not to become so caught up and so busy that we fail to experience the wonder and the worship, the spiritual benefit of Advent.  As the giant corporate marketing machine goes into overdrive to get us to spend more, and as social obligations at work, in our families, and yes, at church make our December noisier and busier and too distracting, we need to set aside some quiet moments to think about the birth of the Savior, to prepare spiritually for the observance of Christmas.

If you have young children a great way to do this together is the traditional Advent Calendar.  Opening a "window" each day and talking about the meaning of different aspects of the coming season provides a time of family fellowship and models something very special for your children.  Another way some Moravians set aside time for meditation during Advent is to put special effort into reading the Moravian Daily Texts.  Set aside some time to read the short daily texts and the daily prayer, but also look up the longer daily scripture passages listed for each day at the top of the page.  If you're into email and don't have a current Daily Text, you can subscribe online at http://www.moravian.org/daily_texts/   and the texts for the day will show up in your mailbox automatically every morning.

This year is extra special for those of us at Trinity because this is our ninety-ninth Christmas season as a congregation, and the end of the month will mark the "kickoff" for our 100th Anniversary celebration.  This year, the annual Salem Congregation Watchnight service will be held at Trinity, and we will see in the new year with a lovefeast and the joyous interruption of the band at midnight.  This year is also unique in that for the first time ever we will webcast this service live, so friends and relatives around the world can join in with us "long distance" on their computers.  Let your friends and relatives know of this special Moravian way to mark the new year, and that they can join in to the Watchnight service as easily as they can tune in to the dropping of the ball on Times Square - but with more spiritual meaning and with much, much better music!

- Pastor John