Photograph info: This photograph was taken last week during a light snowfall in the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, about 20 minutes from Durham Township.

Bethlehem was founded on Christmas Eve in 1741 by members of the Moravian Church. The original settlement was located in the present day historic district and many of the Moravian's solid & handsome buildings are not only still standing, they've been in continuous use since they were constructed.

The Moravian Single Sisters' House on Church Street was used as a combination dormitory, industrial and religious center for single women within the community. The Moravians had a unique and highly-controlled social system which divided men, women and children into groups based on their sex, age and marital status. The groups were known as "choirs" and they participated in common work and worship together within their own residences.

The star in the background is the locally-famous "Bethlehem Christmas Star" that sits atop South Mountain at 1300 feet. The star's frame is 91 feet high and 25 feet wide and was constructed in the late 1930s from Bethlehem steel. It can be seen up to 20 miles away.

Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS 5D and the Canon 85mm f/1.2L lens at f/1.2, 1/60s, ISO 1600. White balance adjustment and basic curves adjustment.

Merry Christmas - and thank you for visiting Durham Township!

--Kathleen

Wonderful Holyday atmosphere...LOVE IT :-)
I wish you a Merry Christmas

A Bethlehem here, a Bethlehem there, here a star, there a star,.....but who's counting? Speaking (speaking?) of counting, young lady, you have no idea how many gifts you have given....and I can't help feeling that I'm way behind in the "thank you"
department.......so in an effort to catch up, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,........oh, and Merry Christmas too.....thank you, than.......

Wonderful Christmas image. Love how you've captured this with the village lights twinkling in the distance..and the lights in each window. Beautiful!!!

What a beautiful post for the holiday!

Would make a beautiful Christmas card!

Merry Christmas! :)

Beautiful seasonal image. Lovely!

Think this will be one of my fovorites :). So lovely. - Following David's example Kathleen, Thank You for all the beautiful gifts you have you have provided through the year. - To all Have a Very Merry Christmas.

A star we see over Bethlehem this December
As we pause, the birth of Christ to remember.
A stone house on a hill overlooks the local "House of Bread".
A far cry from the stable in the account of old often read.
Even with cold and darkness, this message should not end
Of "Peace on earth", and "Goodwill to men".

Merry Christmas.

I accidentally bumped into your photoblog when I was searching the term "Bethlehem" on google images, in preparation for a sharing time with our church youths today planning to share the song "O little town of Bethlehem" by Phillips Brooks ( who preached in Philadelphia and Boston around 1865). Stunned by the sense of profound tranquility portraited by this photo, similating the sublime peacefulness expressed by the famous carol. Thank you very much.

Merry Christmas and God bless..

Weldon

Very nice photograph. Getting it in a light snow, balancing the light so well and waiting to post it on Christmas...a very nice present for your viewers. Thank you for such a nice image.

This is such a beautiful city. The stonework is wonderful and it certainly earns the nickname "Chirstmas City".

This is certainly a perfect Christmas shot. Just beautiful! It brings to mind and old time Currier and Ives Christmas Card, save the modern city lights in the distance.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. All the best Kathleen and thanks for sharing your talent with us and inspiring so many.

Happy holidays!

Great scene and mood!

Love the tones ... so soft and warm. The framing is so well thought out.
Thank you for sharing your world and Merry Christmas :)

Merry Christmas Kathleen! Beautiful, spiritual shot

Wonderful photo - the light snowfall and sparkling lights of the distance (especially the star) really highlight this photograph. My wife and I had a quick weekend away in Bethlehem before Thanksgiving and enjoyed our visit - I had fun taking pictures and posted a few on my photoblog in early December. Merry Christmas!

Wow,the exposure all round is perfect and detailed ! Amazing how you did that..

i love that building! but that star hovering over it is tres cool!

I follow the light that leads me to you and I see the comforting cross highlighted on the wall. Are you my salvation? Are you my saving grace? Will you bring me in out of the cold? Provide me sanctuary? Feed and comfort me in my hour of need? You look so solid and strong and I am standing on the threshold. If I knock, will you answer?