When I think of the Christmas holiday I think of snow, family, presents, and Christmas at Creighton.

Creighton prides itself in making this holiday a special one for students, faculty and staff. This is done through a blessing by the Rev. John P. Schlegel, SJ., which is followed by the lighting of the Skinner mall. Everyone is then invited to a grand feast in the Skutt Student Center ballroom and carriage rides through the Old Market. Shirts are also sold in celebration of the event.

This greatly anticipated annual event is met with an accumulation of hundreds of students pushing and shoving to be one of the first in line for the feast. Even if students did not watch the lighting of the mall, they usually still attend the feast.

This annual lighting ceremony and feast are just one of the things that make Creighton unique.

I feel as though it is safe to say that every school has their own special annual event in which they are known or remembered for, and our school’s is Christmas at Creighton.

This event is a unique part of our school for several reasons. First, it shows our strong faith. The fact that we take a night out of the hectic school year to give thanks to and remember the birth of Jesus Christ. This helps many students remember what this holiday is truly about. This is shown through the religious figurines placed around the mall lit up, angels, and such.

Second, we congregate together as one community. During that time, we enjoy the company of one another as one group, one school, not four grades. This shows how Creighton truly is a close, tight-knit community. This gives the students a feeling of a ‘home’ away from home.

Lastly, this occasion is celebrated with a grand feast. This could be seen as a reward for the entire Creighton community and our success as a school. Our school does a great job of excelling in many areas in life, specifically though, as building a total person, well-rounded human being. This is done through giving back to the community, and I think this should be celebrated as it is through this affair.

I attended “Christmas at Creighton” this week and noticed two differences from last year’s event. One distinction was the incorporation of both blue and the white traditional Christmas lights. I like this addition of color to the beautiful light show along the Skinner Mall. It is a friendly reminder of our great Blue jay spirit and pride. The last and perhaps most upsetting difference between last and this year’s affair was the elimination of the chocolate fondue fountain. This was one of my favorite features of the feast last year, and I did not get to enjoy this joy. I am not sure if possibly the fountains had run out by the time I arrived at the feast, but I know for sure that there was no chocolate fondue fountain to be seen.

As I interviewed students about the night, a common like regarding the event was the Christmas lights, while others said the feast. One student, Jena Waters, sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, replied that she enjoyed experiencing the joy of Christmas with her dearest friends. “After all,” she said, “that is what Christmas is all about!”