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Early Easter Morning Tradition in Nazareth, PA

By Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Real Estate Agent with Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. PA License #AB068077

March 22, 2008 12:50 AM

It is 3:30AM Easter Morning. You are awaken by the sound of music. Music? At 3:30 in the morning? That's right!

It is tradition in Nazareth, PA for the Nazareth Moravian Church Brass Choir to walk down the streets of Nazareth playing their Brass instruments early Easter morning. This tradition started back in the 1740's when the Moravians settled Nazareth and has continued until present day.

Many residents come out of their homes to greet the brass choir, some sleepy-eyed, with "Happy Easter!" or "Christ has Risen!" Newcomers to Nazareth have called the police to find out what is going on. Few call the police to complain about the loud music. Most Nazareth residents find it a pleasant experience.

This year, the police have been notified ahead of time and will escort the brass choir during their walk down the streets of Nazareth to settle any complaints about the "noise" so early in the morning.

It is truly a very nice experience, waking up to music played by the Nazareth Moravian Church Brass Choir on Easter Morning.

REJOICE, CHRIST HAS RISEN!

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!

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Steve Hoffacker

Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL

Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Brigita, that is so neat. What a joyful way to "ring" in what is arguably the most important day of the year. Happy Easter to you!

Mar 22, 2008 01:32 AM

Debbie Malone

Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA

From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Brigita, I think this is wonderful tradition; all the way back to the 1700's and continuing til today. Happy Easter!

Mar 22, 2008 01:37 AM

Sallie Williams

Keller Williams Realty RED STICK PARTNERS - Baton Rouge, LA

REALTOR - MBA, Baton Rouge

Brigita, my cousins have always lived in Nazareth, and I have never heard of this tradition before. Thank you for telling us about it, and Happy Easter.

Mar 22, 2008 02:04 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Steve:

It is definitely a great way to "ring" in Easter.

Happy Easter to you and your loved ones!

Mar 22, 2008 02:08 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Debbie:

This is one of the few traditions that I know of that has been carried on for such a long period of time and one I hope continues for many more years to come.

Happy Easter!

Your Nazareth, PA friend, Brigita

Mar 22, 2008 02:11 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Sallie:

This is not a tradition that many know about, except, of course, those that live in the center of town and the old timers. Nazareth is a town settled by Moravians years ago and has many traditions. As they come up, I will write about them.

Happy Easter to you and your loved ones!

Mar 22, 2008 02:14 AM

Patrice Estess

PB APPRAISALS - Kerhonkson, NY

Brigita, That sounds so cool, there is nothing quite like tradition!!! gives you a nice warm feeling

Mar 22, 2008 03:35 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Patrice:

I am all for tradition. My family has some traditions, some I started with my kids, and every year, even though my kids are grown, they still ask for the family traditions. I think it's pretty neat!

HAPPY EASTER!

Mar 22, 2008 06:04 AM

BLR Guy

BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc) - Saint Pete Beach, FL

Brigita sounds like a very nice tradition...but something tells me at 3AM...they would scare the heck outta me...LOL

Mar 22, 2008 09:56 AM

TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN

Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Brigita, 3 AM is a little too early to be blasted out of bed by a trumpet. If you were not expecting it, one would think that Gabriel was doing his thing. Happy Easter to you and your family.

Mar 22, 2008 10:22 PM

Linda Tremblay

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, PA License #AB065488 - Doylestown, PA

Associate Broker - Bucks County, PA Real Estate Services

Brigita, Hope you & your family had a wonderful Easter. I think the tradition sounds good but I also do not know about the 3am. Couldn't it be around 7 or 8?

Mar 23, 2008 11:24 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

BLR Guy:

It did scare some residents out of their beds. LOL

Mar 24, 2008 04:06 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Michael:

That's the truth. I'm sure many first time residents have jumped the first time they've heard the brass play.

Hope you and your loved ones had a great Easter!

Mar 24, 2008 04:14 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Linda:

Tradition is 3:30AM.

Hope you and your loved ones had a great Easter!

Mar 24, 2008 04:17 AM

Deb Brooks

Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Brigita, this sounds like a lovely tradition. I hope you had a great Easter and kick the spring off with lots of sales! Later in the rain~Deb

Mar 25, 2008 02:56 PM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Thank you, Deb!

Hope you had a great Easter with your loved ones!

Your Nazareth, PA friend, Brigita

Mar 26, 2008 12:46 AM

Art Kruschka

Administrative Manager - Manassas, VA

Manassas Woodbridge Dumfries Real Estate Sevices

Brigita, Started in 1740 Wow!! It is really wondefful that the tradition has continued this long - too many traditions get lost in our fast paced society, Art

Mar 26, 2008 01:04 AM

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Art:

I'm all for traditions. Like you, I think it is great that it has continued for as long as it has. I have even started some traditions with my own family and they look forward to it every year.

Your Nazareth, PA friend, Brigita

Mar 26, 2008 01:41 AM

Anonymous

Bud

Yea, the band just woke me up. It is 3:03am. This is not a nice tradition, it is an annoying one. Nazareth does lots of weird stuff I am beginning to discover. I have only been here 4 months and it is def a unique lil town.

Apr 11, 2009 07:03 PM

#21

Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker

Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA

The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

Bud:

Small towns like Nazareth tend to have traditions that they carry on. Some of the traditions may not suit everyone. I would much rather wake to music early in the morning, rather than sirens from emergency vehicles.

Brigita

Apr 13, 2009 12:46 AM