Summary

Old Sturbridge Village's "Christmas by Candlelight" event offers a historical reenactment of a 19th-century New England Christmas, emphasizing imagination, simplicity, and community amidst the absence of modern entertainment.

Abstract

Old Sturbridge Village's "Christmas by Candlelight" event is an annual tradition that immerses visitors in the holiday spirit of the 1830s. Attendees experience a Christmas without modern technology, enjoying live interpretations, storytelling, and mulled cider around open fires. The event features a Christmas Wish Bridge adorned with lights and trees, where visitors can hang tags with personal wishes, ranging from peace and happiness to more specific desires. The absence of snow doesn't dampen the festive atmosphere as people gather to celebrate the joy and peace associated with the holiday. The event's authentic recreation of a 19th-century Christmas highlights the importance of community and the heartfelt sentiments of the season.

Opinions

The author suggests that the simplicity of 19th-century Christmas celebrations fostered a greater sense of imagination and appreciation for the holiday.
The recitation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the pouring of mulled cider are seen as quaint and engaging activities that connect visitors to the past.
The Christmas Wish Bridge is considered a brilliant idea, providing a space for visitors to express their hopes and dreams, reflecting the enduring optimism and communal spirit of the holiday season.
The author expresses a personal belief in the hopefulness of humanity, inspired by the heartfelt wishes displayed on the Christmas Wish Bridge.
The article concludes with a call to action, encouraging readers to support "Dining for Hunger," a charity aimed at combating food insecurity, indicating the author's commitment to social causes, especially in light of the challenges faced in the past two years.

Celebrating Christmas in the 19th Century Required Imagination

A 19th-century interpreter plays the flute to entertain visitors. © Bruce Coulter Photography

No YouTube, Netflix, or Amazon Prime. You can forget video games. PS5? Never heard of it. Xbox? What the hell is that? Black Friday? Nope. No such thing.

Christmas in the 19th century required a lot of imagination. Children hoped for simple games. Perhaps more realistically, some warm clothing; a hat, mittens, or maybe a pair of socks.

Christmas by Candlelight is Old Sturbridge Village’s annual ode to the holiday of joy, peace, and St. Nicholas. Throughout the late afternoon and evening, costumed interpreters travel around the village common and outlying areas of the 200-acre property, explaining what it was like to live in a New England village in the 1830s.

Around a blazing fire, one gentleman regaled the crowd with his recitation of Clement Clarke Moore’s “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” who wrote the poem for his children in 1822. Another poured mulled cider, heated by the red-hot tip of an iron pulled from a fire.

A costumed interpreter entertains visitors on the common with “Twas The Night Before Christmas.” © Bruce Coulter Photography

Scenes from the town Common at Old Sturbridge Village in central Mass., during the living history museum’s annual Christmas by Firelight. © Bruce Coulter Photography

Despite the lack of snow, the air of Christmas chilled the evening temperatures as people gathered around an open fire on the village Common.

It was as promised: the spirit of Christmas spread joy among the visitors. The most frequented stop appeared to be Christmas Wish Bridge, adorned with lights and festooned with wall-to-wall Christmas trees, from which hand-written tags hung. Similar sentiments were written on many tags: Peace, happiness, and healing from cancer. Some wished for love to enter their lives. Others hoped for more mundane events; a championship title for local sports teams and more bachelorette parties.

Visitors pause on the Christmas Wish Bridge to take photos and attach tags to the many Christmas trees on the bridge. © Bruce Coulter Photography

But no matter how common or typical a wish was, the sentiment written on what looked to be thousands of Christmas tree tags — nay, ornaments — befitting of the holiday was from the heart.

Messages of hope were attached to trees under the Christmas Wish Bridge. © Bruce Coulter Photography

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I’m not sure if this is the first year of the Christmas Wish Bridge’s existence, but it is a brilliant idea. Writing a simple wish on a tag was a hit among the individuals and families attending. It was easy to realize there was still hope for the denizens of this planet. At least, I like to think there’s still hope for us.

To all on Medium and people around the world: Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanza. Feliz Navidad. Shèngdàn jié kuàilè. Joyeux noël. Fröhliche Weihnachten. Kalá Christoúgenna. Shchaslyvoho Rizdva. Chúc Giáng Sinh Vui Vẻ. Lebedik nitl.

I accept tips which go directly to Dining for Hunger, a recognized 501(c)(3) organization that looks to end food insecurity. The last two years have been difficult, and we are trying to regroup to continue our mission. If you can spare a dollar or two, I’d be grateful.