It is magical to be in Bethlehem when Moravian’s Vespers services begin. Each year, the campus and community come together to celebrate one of the university’s most cherished traditions and celebrate our unique campus community. What started in 1895 as a modest Christmas service for students, faculty, and staff has grown into a hallmark event that defines the university’s identity every December.
The first Vespers service started all the way back in 1747, on Christmas Eve in Marienborn, Germany. Over time, Vespers has transformed from a small campus gathering into a multi-night celebration attended by many. Today, the services run across six nights during the first two weeks of December to accommodate the large number of community members, alumni, families, and students who look forward to it all year.
At its heart, Vespers is a musical and spiritual experience. The service features traditional Moravian hymns, choral selections, and instrumental pieces, including those performed by the university’s various ensembles. While rooted in religious tradition, it resonates with people of all backgrounds because of its universal themes of hope, peace, and light during the darkest time of the year. The ceremony contains no prayers or spoken words, emphasizing its unique status as a music-only service and setting it apart from more traditional church services.
For Moravian’s music ensembles, this year’s ceremony includes the flute troupe, clarinet choir, guitar ensemble, brass ensemble, and choir. Vespers is one of the most significant performance opportunities of the year. Choir members, instrumentalists, and conductors spend weeks preparing, striving not only to deliver a beautiful program but also to uphold a tradition much larger than themselves.
“Vespers is one of the greatest joys of my year,” said Paula Zerkle, chair of the music department and choir director. “For more than three decades, I’ve watched our students bring light, beauty, and hope to thousands of people during a season when our community needs it most. Each concert feels like a gift we all create together.”
As a student who has had the privilege of performing with the choir multiple times during my time at Moravian, I can say that Vespers is an experience unlike any other. Standing before a packed sanctuary surrounded by candlelight and the hum of anticipation creates memories that last long after the ceremony ends.
Each night feels unique; sometimes it’s the energy of the audience, sometimes a moment in the music takes on new meaning, and sometimes it’s simply the feeling of being present with your peers in such a meaningful space. The unpredictability of each night adds to the excitement, no two nights are ever the same.
Beyond the performances themselves, what makes Vespers special is the sense of community it creates. Students volunteer as ushers, faculty and staff attend with their families, alumni return year after year, and community members from Bethlehem and beyond fill the pews.
As we all know, this occurs during finals week, which requires students to make a considerable time commitment to this service, demonstrating their dedication to the community. It is a rare moment in the academic year when everyone, regardless of role or background, can come together to share in something beautiful. It also allows students to take a break during the hectic finals week and enjoy a bit of the Christmas spirit the city has to offer, as they race towards the end of the semester.
In many ways, Vespers marks not only the beginning of the holiday season but also a moment of reflection as the semester comes to a close. It invites us to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the values that ground us here as a community. Whether attending or performing, Vespers remains a reminder of the powerful traditions that shape Moravian University and bring us together each December.
