Are you having Candle Tea withdrawal this year? Some people make the Candle Tea in Old Salem an annual outing for their families. They experience the Christmas carols being sung in the Brothers House. And they purchase Moravian beeswax candles after they watch the candles being made in the basement of the Brothers House. For many, the Candle Tea sets the mood for their Christmas season.
Visitors enter the front of the Brothers House and come into the saal, where they sing Christmas carols to the accompaniment of an organ. After the carol sing, they descend the stairs to the basement. Moravian women in costume demonstrate the custom of making Moravian candles. If you are also missing being present at the Candle Tea in Old Salem this year, here are a few images of the Candle Tea from 1962.
In the photo above, strings (wicks) are being drawn through the individual sections of the candle molds.
Hot beeswax is being poured into the candle molds.
The candles must cool in the molds before they can be removed.
The wicks are wrapped around a rod that holds the candles in place. Very carefully, the candles are lifted from the molds.
Candles are placed on a wooden tray with holes that keep the candles upright. This is particularly important when they are wrapped in red crepe paper, which is held with a small tack. The decorative crepe paper helps to catch the drippings from the candles, so the wax doesn’t burn the holder’s hand.
Candles are sold to individuals to decorate their homes.
Visitors are invited into the kitchen area to enjoy Moravian sugarcake and warm Moravian coffee. They often have the opportunity to converse with the Moravian dieners and to learn more about Moravian history and customs.
The town of Salem is featured in a putz that is assembled each year. The putz gives a bird’s-eye view of the entire snow-covered town, complete with accessories, such as people, animals, horse-drawn sleighs, light poles, and other additions that make the scene feel so real.
The Nativity scene follows the putz. Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, the wise men, the shepherds, the animals, and the stable comprise the Nativity. Candle Tea attendees reflect on what they see and hear, and leave the Brothers House with a solid reminder of what the Christmas season is all about.
The color images were made from slides. If anyone can identify the women in the images, please send this information in a comment.
Photographs courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
There will be a drive-through Candle Tea in Old Salem this year (2020). To read the details, follow this link: https://www.homemoravian.org//candletea.
I’ve done the candle tea annual since I was a child then brought my children throughout the years! I’ve gone by myself or w friends and family! I’m gonna miss it terribly this year!!!