Kentucky Christian University's Young Library The 12 Towns of Christmas Virtual Vacation

Welcome to our next Christmas town, Bethlehem, PA - AKA Christmas City, USA!

Here is the heartwarming story of a quaint town, as told on the city's own website:

"On Christmas Eve 1741, in a stable, while a small group of Moravians [now a part of the Czech Republic] were singing a hymn with the stanza 'Not Jerusalem, Lowly Bethlehem' Count Nicolaus Ludwig Von Zinzendorf christened this little town “Bethlehem”. Since that time Christmas in Bethlehem has been central to the city’s identity. From the first documented decorated Christmas tree in America to the efforts of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce to get Bethlehem nicknamed 'Christmas City USA' in 1937, to the current time when both sides of the river boast Christmas markets filled with artisan craft, retail and food vendors, Bethlehem is rife with one Christmas celebration after another."

A couple notable events include:

Christmas Huts on Main - where local vendors set up shop in wooden, holiday-themed huts downtown.

Christkindlmarkt - a daily event with the nation's finest artisans selling Christmas decorations, gifts, and traditional German wares. There are also demonstrations and other featured activities for this ticketed event.

Don't forget to check out the local museums and historical sites on your visit!

Let's take a quick tour of what Christmas City is like during Christmas:

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

If you're surprised to see crab cakes pop up for Pennsylvania's most notable Christmas food, you're not alone. I was totally expecting some festive take on a Philly cheesesteak. However, this recipe provided by Phillips Foods is definitely a winner!

Yield: 6 cakes

Ingredients:

• 1lb jumbo lump crab meat
• 1/2lb lump crab meat
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 3/4 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
• 3/4 teaspoon worchestershire sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup mayonaise
• 3.4 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1 large egg

Directions:

• Combine the egg, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, seafood seasoning, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise in a bowl.
• Place the crab meat, parsley and Ritz crackers into a separate bowl. Mix very lightly to combine.
• Add the wet ingredients to the crab mixture and combine lightly.
• Portion into 5-ounce cakes and pan fry or bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes or until evenly browned on both sides and cakes reach an internal temperature of 165° F.

Once you're finished exploring Bethlehem, PA, let's head South South SOUTH all the way to Christmas, Florida.