As the hustle and bustle of finals gets underway, ASLMU held their annual Christmas Tree Lighting last Friday, uniting the LMU community for an evening of holiday cheer and festivities.
As an East Coast native, it is hard for me to equate the holiday season with Southern California’s warm year-round climate. I associate this time of year with cold temperatures and lots of snow, but after attending this event, I feel completely in the holiday spirit. Kicking off the winter season at LMU and seeing everyone come together for a common purpose made me feel connected to my school’s community. Even though the end of the semester can be stressful for students and faculty alike, the Christmas Tree Lighting provided an outlet for everyone to have fun, eat great food, and celebrate this joyous time of year.
Hot cider, candy canes, churros, and cookies were just a few of the delicious treats served at the event. Attendees received brand-new LMU scarves and got to take photos with Iggy the Lion, who was undoubtedly the most popular guest of the night. In addition, students queued in line to receive customized mugs from the event and to take turns riding around Alumni Mall in an illuminated sleigh.
This Christmas Tree Lighting also featured a Letter to Santa booth where students could help the Make-A-Wish Believe campaign. For every letter received, Macy’s pledged to donate one dollar to the foundation. This booth was my favorite part of the event because it underscores the importance of giving back and helping others, two integral components of my Jesuit education here at LMU.
After catching up with old friends, chatting with some of my professors, and taking my last photo of the dazzling tree, the Christmas Tree Lighting came to a close. As everyone began to depart from the event, the festive and celebratory atmosphere on campus seemed to establish a genuine sense of camaraderie and fellowship among the attendees. As the semester comes to an end, I feel that this event made the final weeks of the 2015 school year meaningful and memorable.
As I head back home to the Washington, D.C. area after finals in the coming weeks, I am looking forward to spending time with my family and seeing all of the different holiday decorations put up around town. However, I am grateful that I got to spend part of the December season on campus. Even though palm trees and sunny skies are not typical elements of my holiday season, I am thankful to have experienced such a great annual holiday tradition with my school.