Non-Moravian neighbors after making contact with Moravians seemed pleased to borrow from the Christmas Moravian traditions.
The warm hearted, Christ centered Moravians founded schools for the Cherokee. When the tribe was relocated to Oklahoma in the 1830’s memories of the traditions of the Moravian schools traveled with them. This is but one example of how Moravian Christmas traditions spread.
Not only have Moravian Christmas traditions spread but they have endured. There is a reason for this. In the 1700’s most Americans celebrated the holiday with more secular and adult activities such as shooting matches, cockfights, and balls and parties. As time went on Americans sought to be more family friendly at Christmas and found fitting Moravian traditions - tried and true. Where there are Moravian churches, even to this day, participation in the seasonal traditions continue unabated.
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