Cookies
Turkey
Christmas Party
Christmas Decorations
Tom & Marlene's Wedding
On Our Anniversary
Halloween
Little Cutie Katie (Tom & Marlene's daughter)
Summer is over

September 2004
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February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
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December 2005

Christmas Day

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

On Christmas eve, we agreed to open only one Christmas gift whichever we would like to pick out. We did it after we came back from church where we celebrated the Christmas Eve Lovefeast. In the following morning we found our stocking had been fully stuffed by Santa. We continued to open the rest presents after having big breakfast. Then as usual, we had gathering in one of Darr family's place. This time was still in uncle Rick's house again to honor his father-in-law and mother-in-law.

The Christmas Eve Lovefeast & Candle Service
at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church


sweet roll & hot coffee


Lindsey & Allison were begging to open more presents
on Christmas Eve


We attended the Christmas Eve Lovefeast & Candle Service at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church, one of Moravian churches in Winston-Salem.

In 1727, the Moravian Church revived this practice and established the custom of celebrating the great church festivals by sharing a simple meal known as a "lovefeast". The first Moravian lovefeasts in North Carolina was held at Bethabara on the evening of November 17, 1753, to celebrate the arrival of Moravian settlers to the Wachovia land grant.

This traditional Christmas Eve carols is served with hot chocolate (or coffee) and sweet rolls. It reminds me the communion of the Spirit in Catholic church. The service also is also complete with lighting candle.

The custom of distributing lighted candles originated in Marienborn, Germany, in the year 1747, when each child was given a lighted candle as a reminder of the joy kindled in our hearts by the Savior. Over the years the flame has also brought to mind the word of Jesus, "I am the light of the world" and "You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."