Saturday, January 7, 2017

Boars Head Feast of St. Peters Lutheran Church

Jan. 7, 2017
I just returned from attending the Boars Head Feast at St. Peters Lutheran Church at Lafayette Hill, PA.  

This was the most amazing show I have seen in a long time.  The majesty and pageantry rivals that of a royal wedding.  A description of what it is about can be found in this Wikipedia article.  Which claims the feast stems from the Roman times, and updated in old England.

The celebration starts with a description of the history of the feast, then the music starts and the Beefeaters take over the church.  This followed by a bagpipe and drum marching band.  Then the lord and lady of the house.  It continues with jesters, the kitchen staff, the presentations of the Boar's Head, followed by a Yule log.  

And it never stops presenting.  Mary and Joseph arrive, which starts the whole Christmas Pageant.  Each succession of characters are welcomed in with the full versions of Christmas Carols, beautifully sung by choir and soloists.  

An angel arrives, clad in white gossamer, wings waving gently, dances through the church.  Foolishly, I looked at my program for the next piece of music, and when I looked up, there was a multitude of angels.  Joanne assured me they descended from above.  It was glorious.

And the arrivals keep coming.  The Shepherds, the Kings, their pages.  This is a medium sized church, and I think everyone under 60 was in costume.  Easily over 200 performers.  

They do not allow photographs, but there are some videos on their church website.  

There are three performances tomorrow.  I recommend to any and all to try to attend!