From candles to camels: Berlin’s Live Nativity Parade tradition endures

Around 1991 a group of five local merchants grabbed a few candles, braved the cold one December and stood outside along Main Street in Berlin to sing carols for those passing by in cars or on foot.

They did so because they wanted to spread a little bit of Christmas cheer.

That began a tradition like few others, the annual Berlin Christmas Live Nativity Parade, which will take place Friday, Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving.

That small circle of merchants included Karen Lamp, Delbert Schlabach, Elsie Sommers, and Clyde and Mary Sundheimer, who started something special, although it has taken on a very different appearance since those early days.

Today the event features a full-blown parade filled with live nativity animals and wagons full of carolers, angels, wisemen and shepherds. Once the parade reaches the main square, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus take center stage, with the reading of the story of the birth of Christ, caroling and a candlelighting ceremony taking place.

Of course, there is one other difference — that being the thousands of people who flock to Berlin to participate in the event.

“When we first started caroling way back in the day, we had no idea that it would grow into what it has become today,” Lamp said.

One thing that hasn’t changed since day one is the event remains centered on the biblical story of the birth of Christ, rather than the commercialized Santa, elves and snowmen many events center around.

Lamp said it remains firmly embedded in the true meaning of Christmas.

“It’s a special event because the focus is still on the birth of Jesus,” Lamp said. “That’s what makes it special. Even if it’s freezing cold outside — and it has been — it is still such a heartwarming night.”

After that first year, the group of merchants decided to do it again in year two, and more merchants joined. They remained entrenched in front of the old township building that is now Helping Hands Quilt Shop, candles in hand, singing their hearts out.

Then Clyde Sundheimer had a crazy thought that changed everything.

“Clyde said, ‘If you can get me a camel, I’ll lead it down Main Street and we’ll sing.’ So we got a camel from Rolling Ridge, and I can so clearly in my mind see Clyde dressed up as a wiseman walking down Main Street leading this camel with us singing behind him,” Lamp said. “We walked up the street to the square and stopped there to sing.”

That drew plenty of attention, and bystanders began joining in the walk.

The idea for the Christmas parade had begun.

For a couple of years, it was Clyde, the camel and the crew, but the crew was growing as more merchants and even others began joining.

Even as it grew to massive proportions, drawing thousands, the theme of the birth of Christ remained, and that hasn’t changed.

“I think that expresses the real heart of our community and what we believe,” Lamp said.

She also said over the years she has heard many people from out of town express both surprise and gratitude that the town can pull off such a huge tradition without the drawing power of Santa Claus.

“We’ve heard so many people express their gratitude and appreciation for what we do,” Lamp said. “It’s become so popular that many people think of it as sort of like a homecoming in many ways where we as this huge family gather to celebrate the true reason for Christmas.”

Over the decades many people have helped lead and guide the event.

Unfortunately, Clyde Sundheimer has long passed away, but his spirit and the spirit of that first small group remain. Lamp herself continues to help dress the shepherds and other characters for the parade walk. Also, like many, this event is still an important part of her life and the celebration of Christmas.

It is a celebration that started with Clyde, a camel and the five.

The Berlin Main Street Live Nativity Parade will take place Friday, Nov. 28 beginning at 5:45 p.m. and will walk from Shiyah Market to the main square, where the singing, reading of the story of the birth of Jesus and candlelighting will take place.