To give your family a taste of Christmas past, make plans to travel to Westville for an 1850s-style celebration. Hear the songs and legends handed down as a priceless gift from generations past and let your children take part in the Yule Log Ceremony on Saturday, December 9 at 2 p.m.

Hunting the Yule Log is a Christmas experience hunters will not likely forget. The log is gaily decorated with ribbon and the hunt area is roped off. All children, fifth grade and under, are invited to hunt. When the log is found, the finder will receive a special cup made by Westville potter, Stephen Hawks, and inscribed “Yule Log Finder 2006”. The finder will then join the cast for the ceremony.

The ceremony provides a feeling of Christmas past with the Christmas carols, the hanging of the greens and their symbolism provided this year by the Fellowship Home Educators, a group of home school families in the region, the passing of the torch of peace after the scripture is read and the lighting of the Yule Log. This lighting symbolizes the light that came into the world at the birth of Christ. A piece of the burning log will be set aside for next year’s ceremony.

Following the burning, everyone is invited to the McDonald House to drink wassail and eat Yule Log cake. It’s a family-friendly event that your children are sure to remember for a lifetime.

Historic Westville “Georgia’s Living History Museum” introduces visitors to 1850 activities provided by skilled artisans as they showcase their crafts including pottery making, basket making, woodworking, cooking, quilting, and weaving.

Westville is located in Lumpkin, Georgia 35 miles south of Columbus, Georgia on US 27. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call toll free 1/888-733-1850 or e-mail director@westville.org. The website is www.westville.org.