Lighting of the Commons each year helps spark the Christmas spirit in the hearts of the community.
The event features a variety of holiday activities for both young and old including free pictures with Santa, the opportunity to write letters to soldiers overseas, free carriage and train rides, a performance from the Wings’ bell choir and the Soundings’ Christmas Market.
Senior Em Calvert helped organize the Soundings’ Christmas Market this year, which began as a tradition alongside Lighting of the Commons three years ago.
“A couple of years ago one of our Soundings staff members was inspired by the Christmas market that they encountered in Vienna when they went to study abroad there,” Calvert said. “They came up with the idea of bringing it back here to OC as really a way to engage people with creativity.”
The Soundings program begins advertising open booths to the community in November each year. After a month of advertising the Christmas market, Soundings helps a variety of vendors set up booths in the pavilion. This year the booths range from World Vision volunteers raising money for charity to people selling baked goods. There were even people selling recycled pallet art.
“I really enjoy how it adds an element of creativity to Lighting of the Commons,” Calvert said. “With the Christmas market you don’t come to Lighting of the Commons just to see the pretty lights, and while that’s obviously important to appreciate, I think it really gives people the chance to see a lot of creative ideas and interact with a lot of different people who are exploring new ideas.”
Freshman Brendan Smith attended Lighting of the Commons for the first time this year, and said the event helps spread the Christmas spirit on campus.
“I came because it’s a really good Christmas tradition,” Smith said. “I really love Christmas, and I really feel like this is a great way to get into the holiday spirit on December 1.”
Smith said his favorite aspect of Lighting of the Commons was seeing Santa Claus and snapping a photo with him.
“I love Santa,” Smith said. “Santa is the face of Christmas, and I think taking a picture with him really gets you into the holiday spirit.”
Since Lighting of the Commons began, Santa has attended every year to pose in photos with those of all ages and initiate the countdown for the official campus lighting.
Former registrar Mickey Banister, who retired in 2013, was featured as Santa, and despite his busy schedule this time of year he said he tries to make sure to always stop by for this Oklahoma Christian University annual event.
“I have come down from the North Pole every single year for Lighting of the Commons except for one,” Santa said. “I was in London that week, so I missed it, but I have a pretty good assistant — Dr. Baird makes a pretty good substitute.”
Oklahoma Christian holds a special place in Santa’s heart because he said the school is full of such exceptional students and faculty.
“This is such a good group,” Santa said. “I have had so many good kids – good boys and girls that have gone to school here. I think this is a wonderful place and it’s making lots of good people who are helping wherever they go.”
Santa said most Oklahoma Christian students and faculty make the nice list each Christmas, so they should not be worried about seeing coal in their stockings, but Santa did mention one individual he is a bit worried about.
“I’m a little concerned about Neil Arter,” Santa said. “But I’m working on him. We’ll see how that turns out.”
Like most of the Oklahoma Christian community, Santa said he is especially looking forward to the rest and relaxation on Dec. 25.
“On the 25th I’ve already got my feet up, drinking my hot cocoa, Mrs. Claus already has the good cookies made,” Santa said. “Life is good.”
Santa would like to wish the whole Oklahoma Christian community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and said he is already excited about next year’s Lighting of the Commons.
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