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).