Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

Christmas on the Farm

Christmas on the Farm honors Moravian Tradition

            The Moravians, a German pietist church sect originally from the European provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, arrived in Nazareth, Pennsylvania in 1740. In 1741, this group founded the city of Bethlehem and for over 100 years maintained a strictly Moravian settlement that thrived and played a key roll in both the history of the Pennsylvania Germans and this state. On Saturday December 8, 2007, PGCHC invites you to remember and honor the traditions of this group of Pennsylvania Germans at our Moravian Christmas on the Farm.  

            This year Christmas on the Farm, will show case many holiday traditions of the Moravians. The Nazareth Moravian Church will be providing traditional Moravian Mints and Moravian Sugar cake. These will be available for sale and to taste. The members of the church will also be helping children make and trim their own traditional Christmas Eve Candles to take home. Other Moravian Churches will also be assisting with the festivities. The Brass Choir from the Central Moravian Church of Bethlehem will be performing twice during the day, Don Kemmerer will also be present.  Also, Linda Zimmerman, with Historic Bethlehem, will be giving a program called “A Day in the Life of a Moravian Girl”.

            There will also be many other activities going on throughout the day.  The Belsnickel will be visiting, and carolers will be roaming the farm singing Christmas carols in the dialect.  For the Kids, there will also be farm animals, and farm equipment demonstrations in the barn.  Our affiliate groups will also be helping make the event a success. The Old Time Plow Boys will also have their kitchen open so be sure to stop by and get a warm bite to eat.  Craftsmen from the Reading Berks Guild of Craftsmen will be selling their wares and demonstrating.  Also, The Pennsylvania German Society will be present to give out information and will be having a member’s only book sale in conjunction with our event.