Newswise — A simple meal with family and friends is all that is needed for a lovefeast, a holiday tradition that dates back to the 1700s. All that matters is that you celebrate a lovefeast with someone – or those – you love.
A lovefeast has no set format, though a typical lovefeast involves seasonal music or Christmas carols, a simple meal, the reading of scripture, prayers and the lighting of candles. There are also no rules as to the food that can be offered, except that the meal be simple and easily distributed. The personal love, care and attention you bring to a lovefeast are the only elements needed to help you appreciate and acknowledge the blessings heaped upon you and your family.
The history of Lovefeast
The first lovefeast was served in Germany on August 13, 1727, following the renewal of the Moravian Church. When the Moravians settled in N.C. in 1753, they brought the traditions of the lovefeast with them.
In 1965, Moravian student Jane Sherrill Stroupe (’67) organized the first lovefeast at Wake Forest University with 200 students. Fifty years later, the Wake Forest Lovefeast continues to be the largest Moravian-style lovefeast in North America and a favorite University and community tradition.
What is a Lovefeast?
A lovefeast is a service dedicated to Christian love that seeks to remove social barriers and encourage unity and respect. The service is an opportunity for all ages to come together for fellowship.
For half a century, Wake Forest University has carried forward this rich Moravian service on the first Sunday in December in the University’s Wait Chapel.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, Wait Chapel at will be filled with music, the smell of sweet coffee and more than 2,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends will come together to celebrate the 50th annual Wake Forest Lovefeast.
The feast
The lovefeast meal is meant to be simple and easily distributed. The Wake Forest Lovefeast consists of a sweetened bun and creamed coffee, which are always prepared in advance, so that the feast is served quietly and does not disrupt the singing of hymns.
A slightly sweetened bun, served in baskets, is passed along the pews. Typically men handle the trays of drink, and women the baskets of buns. Children and adults of all denomination are encouraged to partake in this celebration of unity and fellowship.
More than 180 dozen traditional Moravian buns and 90 gallons of Moravian coffee are served to participants by dieners, German for “servers.”
During the meal, the Wake Forest Concert Choir, Handbell Choir, Flute Choir and the Messiah Moravian Church Band play music. Handmade beeswax candles, decorated with red paper frill, are distributed to each worshiper, young and old. For the singing of the final hymns, the worship space is darkened except for the large illuminated Moravian Advent Star. Each participant’s candle is lit, one at a time, and the Chapel slowly brightens.
For those unable to attend the service in Winston-Salem, N.C., the video of the 50th Annual Lovefeast will be streamed live.
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