‘Tis the Season

Hi there, everyone!

The last month was understandably a busy time for me as the end of the semester brought a multitude of assignments, papers, and exams. Luckily, the last month of the term also brought signs and celebrations of the Christmas season to provide a much needed boost to student morale.

Kimball was the first campus location to embrace the holiday season with a giant Christmas tree in the dining hall entrance greeting students on their return from Thanksgiving Break. Over the first few weeks of December the Kimball tree was joined by wreathes adorning several buildings, notably the porches of Fenwick and O’Kane Halls. At night the trees on the Hoval glistened with white lights and a vitality that belied their bare winter branches. The decorating spirit even managed to overcome the Admissions Office and the world’s most Holy Cross Christmas tree welcomed visitors to the Hill.

Kimball Entrance

Christmas Lights on the Hoval

Admissions Christmas Tree

Speaking of decorating, one of Holy Cross’ annual Christmas traditions is a Decorating Competition between the residence halls.  As a member of House Council for Wheeler Hall, I helped decorate my hall’s social space as the setting from A Charlie Brown Christmas. We didn’t place in the competition, but we had a great time decorating the social space and acting out the film’s major scenes. The hanging snowflakes, ceiling ornaments, and paper Christmas trees added Christmas cheer to the social space for the rest of the semester.

Wheeler Hall Christmas Decorating Team

Charlie Brown Tree Lot

Paper Christmas Trees in Hallway

I also enjoyed the holiday traditions of the campus Christmas tree lighting and the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols for the first time. The Christmas tree lighting featured performances by the Chamber Singers and a cappella groups on the O’Kane Hall porch. Carols were sung for entertainment, Christmas cookies were eaten for enjoyment, and hot chocolate was gladly gulped down for warmth before the lights came on to illuminate the trees. Finally, Lessons and Carols continued the Christmas celebration with elegant performances of traditional songs by the college choir and orchestra in St. Joseph’s Chapel.

Fools on the Hill Sing Carols

Christmas Trees and Nativity Outside O’Kane Hall

Lessons and Carols in the Chapel

The holiday season may have ended last week with New Year’s and the Feast of the Epiphany but not without being thoroughly celebrated at Holy Cross.

Until next time, take care, everyone.

Michael

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 6th, 2015 at 11:33 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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