O Little Town of Bethlehem

"How still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreaming sleep the silent stars go by." Yes, I'm humming to myself as I type this post. See, I had the privilege of growing up in and near Bethlehem, PA. The city is of course named for the Biblical Bethlehem and surrounded by cities of similar significance (like Nazareth) and, as such, it was a very Christmas-centric city, as you can imagine. I spent many school days during December visiting the Christmas Putz, drinking cider and eating cookies at the Moravian love feasts, and browsing in the brightly decorated shoppes on Main street in the downtown stretch, all beneath the twinkle of thousands of "Moravian" stars hung in every window and lit high above the city on a mountain you can see from most anywhere. I often miss home this time of year, because nothing embodies Christmas to me like snow on the ground, a chill in the air, decked halls and streetlamps draped with ribbons, and a general hum and bustle that accompanies it all. Christmas in the south, while still preserving its true meaning, still never feels quite the same. So here's my little tribute to the Christmas City, in photos.

For more information on The Christmas City, head to http://www.christmascity.org/ or http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/ and http://www.bethlehempaonline.com/


You can buy Moravian stars locally in Bethlehem from The Moravian Book Shop or online of course.