On December 9, Jones College held its first annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. The festive night invited a hefty crowd from the Jones community as well as JC students to enjoy themselves as Christmas music was played in anticipation of the lighting of the tree. With aid from the Student Government Association and campus staff, the audience enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies as well.
The night began with performances by several small ensembles. The music groups played classic Christmas songs such as “Deck the Halls”, “The First Noel”, “Angels We Heard on High” and more. Each ensemble offered a different flavor of Christmas for the audience to enjoy. The Winter Guard took the show to the next level as they pranced around the tree with their flags while fake snow fell from the sky. The combination of musical performances was certain to put anyone in the Christmas spirit.
SGA assisted in passing out candles to all the spectators as the sky began to darken. In a true show of comradery, President Jesse Smith led the crowd in singing “Silent Night.” As the song began, audience members would light their candles and pass on their flame to the person next to them. The song ended with every person’s candle lit as they sang the song. This moment in the show was a true demonstration of the fellowship provided at Jones.
Last but most certainly not least, the time finally came for the lighting of the Christmas tree. The magnificent Christmas tree was a cedar tree provided by the Shelton Christmas Tree Farm. Everyone joined together to count down the lighting of the tree. As the tree burst with colorful lights, sparklers shot off all around the cedar tree. The breathtaking moment was truly a spectacle to behold. With the help of the visionary minds of Bruce Smith and Tessa Flowers, the first annual Christmas Tree Lighting truly set a standard for what is to come in the future of Jones College.
by Michael Blanks
