Christmas Favorite No. 4

The Annual Wake Forest Lovefeast.

As the program notes, "It is just a simple meal enjoyed as the family of God in the context of worship." It's a tradition that Moravians have been celebrating since the 1720s. While now a staple of many holiday celebrations for Moravian congregations (and some others in the area), a lovefeast can held at any time of the year. For more on the beauty of the ceremony and its traditional roots, visit the Moravian Church in North America.

I discovered the Wake Forest University Community Lovefeast several years ago, while reading the paper (props to the WFU Media Services people). I was intrigued--and continue to be intrigued--by the fact that this is the largest lovefeast in the world every year. They hold the service in Wait Chapel on the first Sunday evening of every December and invite students from every part of campus to help celebrate. (More photos here, but none from this year, yet.)

Among the Sacred Dance Ministry, who are responsible for lighting the advent wreath and the candles at the end of the feast, the flute choir, the concert choir, the divinity school choir and the handbell choir are scattered in several thousand normal, regular people including a bunch of students. As with any mass crowd, the timber of the songs becomes beautiful. Classic, favorite sacred Advent, Christmas and winter tunes are sung, each with the gusto or the reverence they require.

Morning Star, WFU's 44th Annual Lovefeast, 2008

It's perhaps the simplicity of the service, the peace of place and the hope that spreads through the audience through the evening, the stark contrast of the strength of light in a world of dark, the blessing of knowing the bad in order to celebrate the good . . . that really begins the holiday season for me. Emotion is so raw, so real, so true. What better way to welcome the season.

And, then, the coup de grace: the singing of the final song, Joy to the World. As everyone stands, lit only by the delicate yet strong light of thousands of small beeswax candles, on the final verse, candles are lifted on high to celebrate the season.

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of His love.

Joy to the World, v. 3, 44th Annual Lovefeast, WFU 2008