Vespers Name
Today when you hear someone talk about the “̽ Vespers,” those of us from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, automatically think of “The ̽ Christmas Vespers.” The ̽ Vespers, however, were originally referred to as “The Christmas Candle Service.” It was a one day event open only to students, faculty and staff, and it was held in the daytime. It is not until 1910 that students at ̽ Seminary for Young Ladies began referring to this service as “The Vespers Service,” as seen here in a news report from The Mirror: The Student Newspaper of ̽ Seminary for Young Ladies:
“Sunday evening, December the Fourth, the Seniors had charge of the Vespers Service. The special service for Advent and Christmas was used. Dr. Schwarze, of the ̽ and Theological Seminary, delivered a very interesting address. The special part of the program consisted of a vocal solo by Martha De Hart, and a violin solo by Clara Heinrich. The Vesper Choir, which has been recently organized, rendered a beautiful selection. This choir promises to be a very prominent feature in our vesper services.”
- Anonymous (December 1910). School Happenings. The Mirror: The Student Newspaper of ̽ Seminary for Young Ladies, Bethlehem, PA. v.XXIV, (n.3), p. 10.
As you can see here, the ̽ Christmas Vespers service is beginning to take its modern day shape with the introduction of a choir, musical instruments, and a soloist performance. Although it is not documented which song Martha De Hart sang, one could assume that it was likely "Morning Star, O Cheering Sight", a song that prominently features a child soloist who takes turns singing verses with the congregation, and which is now considered a staple of College Vesper services.
The word “Vesper” means evening prayer, or the last service of the day, typically held around 6:00 PM. In some instances, the bell which calls the congregation to worship is also known as “the vesper”.