A Holly Jolly Campus: Liberty celebrates the Christmas season

On Liberty University’s campus, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

On Monday night, Student Activities hosted its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. Hundreds of students gathered outside of DeMoss Hall for Christmas carols, hot chocolate, and cookies as they waited for the campus Christmas tree to be lit for the first time this season.

Not only was it a chance to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season, but students were encouraged to bring donations of canned food, cleaning supplies, and toiletry items for Lynchburg Daily Bread.

Liberty President Jerry Falwell and his wife, Becki, were in attendance for the campus tradition.

“My wife, Becki, came up with this idea eight years ago,” Falwell said. “She wanted a family atmosphere for the students because a lot of the students were away from home for the first time during Christmastime.”

The Falwells were joined on the steps of DeMoss Hall by the Patti family. Yoon Patti is a practicum coordinator for the School of Education, and her 6-year-old daughter, Heather, had the honor of pushing the button that turned all of campus into a festive display of lights.

There are many holiday-themed events scheduled around campus this month. Several are open to the public.

Christmas Karaoke Night, Dec. 1, 10 p.m.

Liberty’s Student Activities office is hosting Christmas karaoke in the LaHaye Event Space, featuring a gingerbread house competition, an ugly sweater competition, and a hot chocolate bar. The event is open to all students.

Christmas Movie Night, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

Student Activities will be showing two screenings of “Elf” at the LaHaye Event Space.

Christmas on the Boulevard, Dec. 4, 5, 7 and 8, 7:30 p.m.

This year’s annual showcase of Christmas music performed by a collaboration of Liberty’s choirs, ensembles, and the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra will be separated into four different concerts performed on separate dates:

• Dec. 4: “The Messiah” showcases the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra (LUSO) and a more-than-300-member choir performing Handel’s Messiah.
• Dec. 5: “Christmas Ornaments” features LUSO and the choir performing Christmas carols and other popular Christmas songs.
• Dec. 7: “Opera in One Act: Amahl & the Night Visitors” is the powerful story of a young boy’s encounter with the magi as they are on their way to see the baby Jesus. School of Music faculty, and students, including the Chamber Singers, will be performing this classic.
• Dec. 8: “President’s Encore Performance” featuring selections from each of the three Christmas on the Boulevard concerts.

All shows are open to students, faculty, staff, and the public and will take place at the Concert Hall in the Center for Music and the Worship Arts. More info and ticket prices can be found online.

Christmas at Hydaway, Dec. 7-9, 6-9 p.m.

Students are once again given the chance to walk through and see a full display of lights and Christmas scenes at the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center on Liberty Mountain. The free event from Liberty University Outdoor Recreation will also feature photo booths, a bonfire, and hot chocolate and holiday treats.

Christmas Coffeehouse, Dec. 9, 11:30 p.m.

The highly anticipated annual event features Liberty students on stage – singing dancing, and showcasing original videos. This year’s theme is “Snow Place Like Home.” The event is open to students and will be held in the Vines Center. Tickets can be purchased online.

Reindeer Run, Dec. 9, 9 a.m.

As part of the Liberty Mountain Trail Series, this annual 2-mile trail race will start at the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center. The event is open to the public. For more information and to register, visit Liberty.edu/OutdoorRec.

Liberty Craft Fair, Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More than 100 local vendors will gather in the LaHaye Multipurpose Center to showcase handmade wares, clothing, holiday treats, and Christmas gifts. The fair is open to the public. Admission is free, but donations of nonperishable food will be collected for the Lynchburg Daily Bread. Food trucks will also be parked outside the center. The event is sponsored by Sodexo, Liberty’s dining services provider.

PraiseFest On Ice: Christmas Edition, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Liberty’s Figure Skating and Synchronized Skating teams will host their annual figure skating showcase at the LaHaye Ice Center. More than 40 skaters will be performing 16 Christmas-themed routines. Admission is free for residential Liberty students. Tickets can be purchased for $6 online.

Christmas Convocation, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.

The annual Convocation will take place on Dec. 13 at the Vines Center, which will be decked out with Christmas decorations. Students will be able to sing Christmas carols, wear their favorite Christmas pajamas, and perform comedy sketches about life at Liberty. This event is open to Liberty students, faculty, and staff.