On the evening of December 1, the Andrews University Student Association (AUSA) ushered in the Christmas season with a tree lighting ceremony. The usual Gazebo tables surrounded the newly-lit tree, its lights twinkling between shimmery silver, gold, and crimson ornaments. As the night carried on, a warm optimism permeated the scene. Carols flowed through the Campus Center and the overhead lights were dimmed as the attending students embraced the Christmas spirit. They wandered towards the tantalizing aromas of hot chocolate and apple cider.
From the counter, the AUSA officers served the students an array of hot drinks. Fluffy whipped cream topped mini marshmallows melting in rich chocolate. Tea bags seeped in insulated paper cups, and people tore open packages of apple cider, stirring the sweet drink into the near-boiling water. Officers chatted with students and swapped stories from Thanksgiving break. From those who’d gone home for Thanksgiving to those who’d hung around campus, many had enjoyed a restful respite from the academic grind over the November holiday.
Warmed from the inside out, people drew towards the tree itself. Full-branched and gleaming, it offered attendees a lovely, seasonally-themed backdrop for polaroid pictures. Luke Drew (sophomore, medical laboratory science), the AUSA secretary, remained poised with a pastel blue camera. He snapped pictures of willing students. Beaming, students clung to their friends before the tree. They clipped the pictures to the branches after watching them develop, contributing to the collection of the evening’s content faces. The candlelight flickered cheerily below, illuminating a small snapshot of our campus family. Ethan Emde (sophomore, finance) says, "Not only was it a chill environment, but it also allowed people to mingle and take photos with friends! I had a great time, and of course a cup of hot chocolate is always a great way to end the day." Along the same vein, Grace No (sophomore, English) remarks, “The hot chocolate was mid, but the decorations were at least A tier.”
People gathered around the offered tables. Surrounded by friends, the hovering stress of finals was lifted for a moment. "It was a heart-warming experience to see people enjoying Christmas to come, and it was also nice to have a break from studying at the end of this semester," divulges Chaehyun Kim (junior, biochemistry). They sipped their sweet beverages, immersed for a moment in a picturesque winter wonderland. One attendee, Morgan Williams (sophomore, social work), shares that the event was “super cute,” and it “really made the student center feel home-y.”
In a sneak peak of the upcoming winter break, the Christmas Light-Up provided a laid back, comforting atmosphere. As Nora Martin (sophomore, English and psychology) says, “The lights were really pretty, and the vibes were immaculate.” Similarly, junior Nilah Mataafa (junior, accounting) comments on the evening’s ambience: “It was magical. And a lot of fun!” Overall, the night successfully welcomed the Christmas spirit onto the Andrews campus.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.