Part One of the below is taken from a book Religious Customs in the Family by Francis X. Weiser, 
a Jesuit priest published 2nd edition in 1998 by Tan Books and Publishers of Rockford, Illinois.  
“In the old Roman Empire, the faithful kept a very strict fast all through Lent: no milk, 
no butter, no cheese, no eggs, no cream and, of course, no meat. So they made small breads of 
water, flour, and salt,” wrote Father Weiser. “To remind themselves that Lent was a 
time of prayer, they shaped these breads in the form of arms crossed in prayer (in those days 
they crossed their arms over the breast while praying). Therefore, they called the breads ‘
little arms’ (bracellae).” From this Latin word came the German word “bretzel,” which 
ultimately became our “pretzel.” Father Weiser added that the earliest picture and 
description of a pretzel, from the fifth century, can be found in codex no. 3867 in the Vatican 
Library.  Below (part two) is taken from Auntie Anne’s Pretzel History - In 610AD an Italian 
monk, his name now lost to history, decided to reward his students by serving them baked scraps of 
leftover dough. He rolled and twisted the dough to resemble his students, who folded their arms 
across their chests when praying. After baking the dough to a golden brown, he called the finished 
product "pretiolas," Latin for "little rewards."  A good idea like this one didn't take long to 
catch on – "pretiolas" spread throughout Europe and were considered a symbol of good luck, 
long life, and prosperity. German children, for instance, wore them around their necks to 
celebrate the New Year, and it wasn't long before they began adorning the tops of Christmas trees.

In the mid 1500’s the German tradition of eating pretzels during Good Friday dinner is introduced.  
The classic pretzel's three-hole shape begins to take form. The three holes represent the Christian 
trinity of "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," and pretzels are thought to bring luck, prosperity, and 
spiritual wholeness.  The wedding phrase "tying the knot" got its start when a pretzel was used to 
tie the knot between two prominent families. The pretzel's loops stood for everlasting love.

In 1620, Pretzels may have made their way to the United States on the Mayflower. It is said that the 
Pilgrims traded pretzels with the Native Americans for various things. In the 1800s Immigrants from 
around Europe came to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and brought their pretzel recipes with them. In 
1861 the first American hard pretzel factory was opened in Lititz, Pennsylvania. The artisans of the 
day rolled, baked, and salted pretzels by hand.

Truly, Christianity, Lent and Pretzels have a long tradition. Honestly, I never thought too much about 
pretzels until I bought my first one for 35 cents on a street corner in Philadelphia. The Pretzel was 
big, salty, warm and with a little mustard, it hit the spot. (especially in the cold Philly air) You 
might or might not be a Pretzel fan, but the fact that they have such rich tradition within the church 
and have been the object of teaching and eating for some 1500 plus years should make all of us take 
notice. As I came across this first history note about pretzels during a time of Lenten sermon 
preparation, I was struck by how a simple Pretzel has been used for years to show the image of arms 
folded in prayer, thankfulness to God and used to bless little children as rewards.

Below is a thank you note from my friend Jim who is recovering from a full knee replacement. I want 
you to hear again the appreciation shared from Jim as he has received the arms of caring, feet of 
hospitality and arms given in prayer during his time of need. Remember, notes of thanks are given 
like this one almost weekly at church either in the form of thanks in worship, gratitude by email, 
personal thanks, thank you cards or written notes of thanks in the bulletin or newel setter.  
Please, don’t miss, dismiss or take these “notes of thanks” too lightly. These notes 
of thanks are reminders of what the church needs to look like and how much it means to others as 
we live out our faith and love in a community of Christ. This Lent, may we like a Pretzel, learn 
to fold our arms in prayer and strive to symbolize the marks of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost 
for others. May we, this Lenten Season, learn to use what we have, like the leftover dough of the 
pretzel to teach and bless others and may we so fill our lives with “the salt” of Christ 
that the world around us would come to know the preservation and seasoning of God’s 
Grace, Love and Mercy.
					                  
									  Joy and Peace ~ Rev. Tommy Wilkes