Lighting of the Commons from my point of view

For the first time in my college career, I got to experience Lighting of the Commons in December. For the past three years since Covid, this event occurred before both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yet, this year was different- there was a sense of hope and Christmas spirit which filled the air around me. 

I walked into the cafeteria, decorated to perfection with garlands, Christmas trees and an abundance of festive desserts, and immediately saw people gathered around tables to share a holiday meal. Not only were students there, but families, alumni and professors all soaking in the Christmas atmosphere. I could feel the energy of young and old friends coming together again to share a moment of holiday cheer. 

After eating a holiday-themed meal, I went outside to the Pavilion to hear New Reign and the Summer Singers singing holiday songs. Next to them was the Christmas Market, where cal vendors sold holiday-themed items at their booths. Words cannot explain the feeling of joy and excitement. Maybe it was the hot chocolate, or maybe it was Jim Baird dressed up as Santa, but something in the air brought a special kind of Christmas joy despite it being the middle of dead week. 

While outside, I saw the lights shine brightly around me as kids ran around, dizzy with excitement. Many people stood waiting to ride the horse drawn carriages and train along the sidewalk of campus. It was a moment of pure joy exuding from the people surrounding me.

After the hot chocolate stand, my friends and I rushed to get a photo with Santa (Dr. Baird) before the lighting happened. One of my favorite parts of Lighting of the Commons is seeing the staff and faculty get involved and be completely overtaken by holiday enthusiasm.

After the Santa photo, the countdown to the lighting of the commons was on. I rushed to get a front row view of the fireworks above the clock tower. Before this magical moment, we counted down together: “3, 2, 1.” All of a sudden, the lights flickered on, outlining the trees and sky with bright colors of red and green. Fireworks exploded into the air in an array of colors, shapes and sizes. I looked around me, and the students did not seem as stressed about school for once. Everyone shared in this moment together, smiling ear to ear.

Through this event, I was reminded of  the beautiful community I am surrounded by  as a student at Oklahoma Christian University. There is nothing quite like seeing the joy of children, friends and family uniting as one. This moment is what community is all about: coming together in a time of chaos to share a moment of joy.