The Annual Campus Christmas Lighting

After spending most of the day at the Gateway Center in Collinsville for the Festival of Trees decorating day, I raced back to the seminary in time for our annual lighting of the various trees and scenes. This year saw the biggest number of students, families, faculty and staff ever. It began with cocoa and hot cider in the new plaza in front of Iso and moved counter clockwise through the seminary grounds. 

The sun was beginning to set as people began gathering

After being left alone all day, Ferdie was beyond crazed to be a part of things. He ran right into the middle of the plaza and sought out kids and toddlers, at this point visiting with the Hunsaker kids. While making over Levi Mau, Ferdie kissed him and then turned and knocked my camera out of my hand and onto the stone walk. The pictures were fuzzy for some time before the lens righted itself.

It was chilly, but not freezing cold and the hot drinks were popular.

Ok, let's get things lit

First the angels after a Biblical reading and a Christmas hymn

All of a sudden darkness fell and it was impossible to take pictures that showed much.

But when we got to the outside manger scene...oh what fun that was. Every child on campus tried to crowd into the stable. Such joy!

It started with a few

And the numbers kept increasing

Ferdie even got in there.

Then this happened

I would guess that these kids will always remember manger scenes fondly, remembering the joy of being in the stable with Jesus and the animals. 

Suffer the little children to come onto Me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.

Comments

[Norman61]

Nice.

[outdoor lighting ideas]

Awesome! These Christmas lights are just awesome. Having a huge Christmas tree lighting for the holiday is just super special, especially for the little ones. That's what Christmas is all about.