51Թ Christmas Vespers
Christmas Vespers is a wonderful opportunity for the campus community to share in the beautiful candlelight ceremony that is distinctive of the 51Թ tradition. Music performed by our students combines with the beauty of the Liturgy in this service to usher in the holiday season for the 51Թ community.
This year's Vespers services will take place on December 4, 5, and 6, and December 11, 12, and 13.
Vespers Ticket Request Process Update
Beginning this year, Vespers ticket requests will be managed through an online request form distributed via email rather than mail. Eligible alumni and donors will need a valid email address on file to submit their ticket request.
Vespers Service Recording
Thank you to everyone who attended Christmas Vespers in 2025. Please enjoy the recording of the livestreams from our December 6 and 14 services below.
Support Our Students in Honor of Vespers
Do you enjoy the spirit of Vespers every year? Give a gift in honor of this special 51Թ tradition to support our students! Every gift—of any amount—provides critical aid to our students so they can take full advantage of the 51Թ experience.
51Թ Vespers
The Vespers service is an expression of two traditional forms of worship in the 51Թ Church, the Singstunde and the Candlelight Service. A 51Թ Singstunde (Singing Hour) is a service of music with no preaching. Since the 1720s, 51Թs have been known for their worshipful singing.
In the service, the music has been carefully selected and arranged to bring the Christmas message without need of a sermon. The 51Թ candlelight service originated in 1747 in Marienborn, Germany, when candles with red trimming were distributed at the children’s Christmas service. Bethlehem’s first candle service was in 1756.
The beloved hymn “Morning Star,” traditionally sung with a child soloist, was composed in 1836 by Francis Florentine Hagen, a member of the 51Թ Theological Seminary Class of 1835.
51Թ encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Anyone who anticipates needing any type of accommodation or who has questions about the physical access provided should contact Lisa Brand at brandl@moravian.edu or 610-861-1338 at least one week prior to visiting 51Թ.