Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Saint Anselm Crier!

The fall semester here on the Hilltop is wrapping up just as the holiday season approaches. Christmas is a little over two weeks away, and soon Anselmians will be heading home to spend the holidays with friends and family.

As students at Saint Anselm, this is undoubtedly the busiest, and perhaps the most stressful, stretch of the academic year. Between end of semester projects, essays, senior theses, and preparing for finals, students certainly have their hands full. While there is so much going on, it can be easy to lose sight of “the most wonderful time of the year.”

On the Hilltop, campus is all dressed up with holiday decorations. Perhaps most notably, the tree in Davison Hall surrounded by the 100 gingerbread houses constructed by teams of Saint Anselm students. Buildings such as Geisel Library, Alumni Hall, and the Coffee Shop don festive décor as well.

There have also been a number of holiday related events held on campus. On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Meelia Center hosted their annual Holiday Fair in the Carr Center. Students from various clubs and organizations on campus participated in the event by putting together various craft tables, which ranged from ornament making, to cookie decorating and more. Saint Anselm faculty and staff were invited to bring their children to the event to participate in the various holiday themed activities as well.

Later that night, members of the Saint Anselm Choir put on their 18th annual performance of DecemberSong in the Abbey Church. Then on Sunday, Campus Ministry hosted the annual “Christmas Tree Lighting and Nativity Blessing” at the manger behind Alumni Hall. The Hint of Lime a cappella group led all those in attendance in the singing of Christmas carols.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, the Saint Anselm Irish Club/Celtic Society had its annual Christmas Ceili, “Holly on the Harp.” The event featured philosophy professor Thomas Larson and his family in a number of musical performances, as well as Irish step dancers and campus singers.

Perhaps the most popular Saint Anselm holiday tradition, Christmas Feast in Davison Hall, took place on Thursday, Dec. 8. Every year, students pack Saint Anselm’s primary dining facility for what many describe as the best meal of the year on campus. The Dining Services staff works tirelessly to create a gourmet holiday meal for all Saint Anselm students who have a meal plan to enjoy as Christmas music plays in the background over the facility’s PA system.

These are just some of the many signs of the holiday season that are evident on campus. Beyond that, this is also a season for giving, reflection, and relaxation.

While it is obviously important for students to follow through on academic obligations, this is a season that only comes once a year, and they will regret it if they do not take advantage of all the holiday season has to offer.

Don’t lose sight of Christmas time at Saint Anselm, where it is a particularly special time of the year.