The meaning of a Moravian Star
The Moravian Church proclaims that the Moravian star represents “the star of promise, the star of achievement, and the star of hope.” Traditionally done with 26 points, today’s versions show six to 100 points. They can be small or large, bright or not, and appear in a variety of color combinations. Now enjoyed by people of many denominations, the Moravian star was a symbol of Christmas, the meaning of which was originally given by its Moravian inventors.
Who are the Moravians?
A little history on the Moravian Church allows us to understand the meaning of the star. The name of Moravia refers to the origins of religion in Bohemia and Moravia (present-day Czech Republic). John Hus (1369-1415), called “the most important Czech reformers” by the Moravian Church, began to protest against the practices of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church in the region. Although Hus was burnt on the bonfire for heresy, his disciples continued his reform and founded the Moravian Church or Union of Brothers.
Symbolism Training
Moravia star’s original meaning was educational rather than religious. Amy Leiser, County Executive Director of the Monroe Historical Association Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, explains that the stars were used as “craft projects to help demonstrate geometry lessons in school boys among Moravian boys” Niesky, Germany. The first star was created in 1850, and 30 years later, a graduate of the Moravian school, Pieter Verbeek, began to sell the stars commercially.
Advent Symbol
Adopted by the Moravian church as a symbol of Advent, the period before Christmas, the star is the first decoration of the Christmas season, according to Leiser. The star is displayed begins on the first Sunday of Advent and “stays until Epiphany, January 6, or the time of the arrival of the Three Kings.” Moravian Bishop Allen W. Schattschneider (best known for his history of the Moravian Church, “Through five hundred years”), he explains, “is in the first place, a prophetic symbol of the advent of our Lord, and so it is used in the weeks before Christmas Eve. “
Symbol of Jesus Christ
As the star is the anticipation of Jesus, also symbolizes Christ himself. The Moravian Church notes that Jesus said, “I am the bright morning star.” Schattschneider adds that “on Christmas Eve and the day of our Lord’s birth, the star takes a increased importance, because then it becomes a symbol of our Lord Himself. “
Other Symbolism
Many other religious meanings are attached to play in the Moravian Church, he observes, “whatever its form, the star reminds us of God, who made the light of darkness shine and the light, which is the life of mankind. “The Church attaches an Old Testament meaning to the Bible, declaring that the star” reminds us of the promise made to Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the stars “and, finally, the star refers to the “great and heavenly light of the manger in Bethlehem shines” which led the magi to Jesus. But for all those celebrating Christmas, the Moravian star came to represent the holiday season in general.