Christmas in Williamsburg

Christmas in Williamsburg is so wonderful. Colonial Williamsburg seems to really light up during the season. Handel’s Messiah is performed at a nearby, colonial church. Dozens of Christmas concerts and choral recitals dot the small town during December. White snow dusts the red brick throughout the old city. In short, it's a one-of-a-kind Christmas season.

I had the pleasure of going to a very unique concert at the Kimball Theatre. Dean Shostak is a world-renowned musician who specializes in 18^th century instruments. He is one of only a hand full of performers who plays the crystal harmonica (see below), which was invented by Benjamin Franklin. The instrument is made up of dozens of crystal bowls with tapered circumferences that are lined-up back to back and spun through the same method as old sewing machines. The music is produced as the musician applies wet fingers to the spinning bowls. The sound is amazing! It’s not like anything I’ve ever heard. He also played hand bells, the hurdy-gurdy, and the world’s only crystal violin (see below). I’ll admit, the crystal harmonica sounds much better than the crystal violin, but the see-through violin was quite a sight to see. The sound was just very stiff and almost metallic sounding. Overall, the show was wonderful and I’m so grateful I got to go.

I went to a beautiful Christmas concert at one of the local churches. The chorus of only 20 or so people sounded like 100. It was incredible! They are a traveling group based in Virginia. Toward the end of the performance they sang one of my favorite choral pieces: Ave Maria. It was the one I was able to sing while in Men’s Chorus at BYU. The version has eight parts and two choral groups. It’s one of the most dynamic and haunting pieces you’ll ever hear. When we performed it, we had 160 or so men singing. They did it just as well with only eight. Wow, what a special time for me. It was like hot chocolate for my ears (pardon the expression).

The culminating event in Williamsburg is Grand Illumination. In the evening, in early December, the entire small town gathers to see one of the largest firework displays. Glowing-hot embers are elevated in metal mesh baskets throughout the area to keep the crowds warm while they wait for the festive display. The show is duplicated exactly and simultaneously in three locations in Colonial Williamsburg. My friends and I chose to be closest to the Governor’s Palace show, which is quite the sight (see above). Each window in the mile long colonial town glows with the quiet candle lights displayed for the season. Each door holds an exquisite wreath made of materials and in the fashion customary of the time period. Some were made of fruits, nuts and leafs. Others were made of antlers, deer fur and even clam shells. People come from all around to see these beautiful wreaths (see below).

The Founding

I think each place on earth holds a spirit, forged through actions of the past. Some places bring us fear, others courage. Some strengthen us, others weaken. Some inspire, and others simply do not. Then there are those special places that seem to command our reverence. They seem to pluck the negative parts of us and paint our souls with rejuvenation.

Of course the temple is such a place. Having been set apart from the world on a particular date, they are holy places. Indeed, these are plots of heaven on earth. I can honestly say that President Hinckley’s claim that we always leave the temple better than when we arrive is true.

Though nothing can truly top the power of the temple, some places seem to clearly take the prize for runner up. The quiet grounds of the birthplace of Joseph Smith have a very special spirit about them. I spent days and days there through various meetings as a missionary. I always felt my spirit recharge after spending time among the maple trees of South Royalton, VT. Every single time.My trip to Israel this past summer exposed me to a myriad of special places. The ancient temple in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Garden Tomb all seemed to inspire, heal, and witness of the beauties of reality. I would never expect to have a similar experience in a place of secular significance. But the night I committed myself to visiting several historical sites in our nation’s capital, I was pleasantly proven wrong.

One evening, while on the same trip in Washington D.C. as the post before this, I took a walk by myself along the Mall. I started by heading toward Capitol Hill, passing all of the museums of the Smithsonian and vowing to scour as many of them as possible before leaving Virginia. The Capitol Building is magnificent! I was practically alone as I walked around the beautiful reflection pool to get a better look at the symbol of our democracy. It was a great experience for me. Fighting the snappy cold of December, I walked briskly back toward the Washington Monument. Wow, up close the obelisk really is massive. It is an engineering feat! Then, I walked around the WWII memorial, which is spectacular at night. The fountains, the delicate lights, and the resolute and simple stars representing casualties of the sacrificed soldiers produce a very powerful experience. And of course President Lincoln’s monument beams majestically behind the memorial. It’s beautiful. God bless America :)

I quickly discovered the truth about the layout of D.C., the key structures creating a cross formation. The Mall, with the Lincoln Memorial on one end and the Capitol Building on the other create one cross section. The White House and the Jefferson Memorial make the second cross section. The two sections cross at the Washington Monument. Symbolically, this country was founded upon the principles of Jesus Christ. I looked over at the Whitehouse and got pretty excited. Then I decided to complete my checklist of the points that make up the cross and I ventured along the Potomac over to the Jefferson Memorial.

This monument quickly became one of my top favorites of D.C. As I walked up the marble steps, through the columns, a solemn feeling washed over me. It sounds crazy, especial being in a monument of just one person, but it was a special experience for me. I’ve always respect Jefferson very much but I didn’t expect the feeling I got. Of course he was a great writer, orator, architect, attorney, and promoter of small government; not to mention he was the drafter of the Declaration and the third President. He was only a man though so why this feeling? I quickly discovered what may be the source of this solemnity.

Several faith-filled quotes from Jefferson jumped out at me from all four directions. The black lettering against the white marble in the structure is a very appropriate stage to ring out his unapologetically firm convictions about our Maker and about right and wrong. “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?” That’s the beginning of just one panel. Think if everyone in our country were to visit this monument. Jefferson is just one of the Founders, but he is one of my favorites. We call them the Founders for a reason. When anyone tries to bend, dice, and splice the foundation of our nation, it bleeds. It just makes you want to uphold the Constitution any way I can.

My night walk in D.C. deeply touched me, especially Jefferson’s monument. I walked home that night inspired, uplifted, and closer to my country and to my Savior. I hope everyone has a similar chance to walk along the cross and be reminded of the Great Founder of our nation, Jesus Christ.