Treat your family to the unique traditions of an old-time Christmas this year during Westville’s Yuletide celebration. During the month of December, the 1850s living history museum invites visitors to experience the warmth of a pre-industrial holiday season full of festive offerings.
Westville embraces the coming of winter and the merriment of Christmas. In its 32nd year, the Yule Log Ceremony will be performed by Webster County Elementary this year. The ceremony officially rings in the month-long celebration by honoring friends and volunteers of Westville. On Saturday, December 9, at 3 p.m., children visiting Westville can begin the customary hunt for the Yule Log. Upon its discovery, the finder of the log is presented with a cup of wassail and the log burning ceremony commences. According to tradition, servants were exempted from their daily labors as long as the Yule Log burned.
The lighting of the Christmas Tree will take place in the Singer House on December 16 and again on December 23 at 2 p.m. |
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The performers this year are the Cuthbert First Baptist Young Musicians. This tradition was unknown to the mostly British descendants of west Georgia. Rather, it was brought from the Old World by German families who settled in the area. Using hand-crafted candles made by Westville’s very own crafters, the lighting of the Christmas tree is accompanied by a recitation of “The Night Before Christmas” and the Bible’s “Christmas Story.”
The Yuletide festivities of the holiday season are brought to an end on Saturday, December 30 during the Burning of the Greens. The events of the day replay a custom which spans 17 centuries. It should actually take place in early January to signify the manifestation of the Christ child to the Gentiles. Westville holds it earlier so that holiday travelers can enjoy it. The natural greenery used to decorate Westville’s buildings will be set ablaze at 2 p.m., symbolizing the light Jesus brought into the world. As the decorations are ignited, village bells begin to ring welcoming the new year.
For more information, call or write Westville, or e-mail the staff at director@westville.org.
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