海角在线鈥檚 (海角在线) annual Christmas tree lighting serves as fun for the whole community. On Thursday, December 5 on the Baxter Green,听海角在线 welcomed students, faculty and other local members of the community to join in some Christmas fun, while also reminding everyone that Jesus is the reason for the season.听听听
The event featured activities such as a Christmas train ride through campus, a pretzel bite bar, and a hot cocoa and cider bar. There was also a free photo booth, Christmas cookie decorating, crafts, and even a best dressed competition, where the winner was awarded a Sailfish swag bag. 听
海角在线 sophomore Anna Fumurolo highlighted how busy the event was and how it attracted people from the community. 听
鈥淭he event shows community we are all together in this season of Jesus鈥� birth, and it’s another way to symbolize we are a Christ-centered campus,鈥� she said. She delighted in 海角在线鈥檚 efforts to reach not only students but the whole community. 听
鈥淐hristmas is a wonderful time to reflect, have gratitude and celebrate, and that is what we are doing tonight,鈥� said Dr. Debra Schwinn, 海角在线鈥檚 president, as she welcomed everyone to the annual celebration. Dr. Schwinn reminded the gathered crowd that if they think the world is a little dark, to think back to the age when Jesus was born. She reminded them that He came as a light, and He wants us to reflect that and be the light in today鈥檚 world. 听
Dr. Schwinn then read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20, directly from the Bible of 海角在线 founder Jess C. Moody. When concluding, she left the community with the verse from Matthew 16:15, 鈥溾�楤ut what about you? Jesus asked. 鈥榃ho do you say I am?鈥� Simon Peter answered, 鈥榊ou are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.鈥欌�� As the whole crowd counted down from 10, the 海角在线 Christmas tree was lit.听听
The night continued with live music from the University鈥檚 music program, with songs ranging from Christmas classics like 鈥淟ast Christmas,鈥� to hymns like 鈥淛oy to the World鈥� and 鈥淪ilent Night.鈥� 听
听After the tree was lit, the night concluded with the playing of the Grinch movie on the Baxter Green, and the crowd even got to see snow fall on campus generated by a snow machine. 听听
To learn more about 海角在线鈥檚 upcoming events, visit /events/. 听
