Christmas music plays through the walls of the dorms. The walkway is lit. And every student has a pile of homework to surmount.

As students return from a much need Thanksgiving Break, campus is now in the full swing of finals and preparation for Christmas activities. It’s a blend of research paper editing and frugal gift shopping. With the semester ending and some seniors preparing to graduate, these few weeks are the last time this exact community will be together. It’s a time to celebrate that community and enjoy the last hurrah before dispersing for Christmas.

Folks have been working behind the scenes for weeks to ensure these days have some joy to match the long days, or nights, of studying.

To start off, the Christmas lighting is Monday, November 27, at 7 pm. Come see the lights along the walkway, enjoy steaming drinks from the hot cocoa bar, and sing carols together. Though the lights have already been up, this event is an official start to the Christmas season at Cairn.

The last weekend before finals week offers the biggest celebration. Friday, December 8 brings Christmas at Cairn Day, which is also student appreciation day! Chapel will be themed toward Christmas, followed by a special Christmas lunch. Once evening sets in, Starry Night will fill the walkway and the MAC with food, games, music, and community. This well-loved event runs from 6-9pm. Among other activities, this year features carriage rides around Manor, a scavenger hunt, a nativity scene, and an ice skating rink, which SPA staff are particularly excited for.

Starry Night brings campus together in a way most other events don’t. Faculty help run the night, so they directly interact with students outside of the classroom in a family environment. Conversation, laughter, and warmth abound. One SPA member describes the event as a “real Christmas vibe.” As the event brings many students from the depths of their studies, there is ample opportunity to interact with people you might not normally interact with. Even the end of the semester is a good time to make new friends.

Saturday, December 9 brings the wonderful Christmas at Cairn concert, performed by the School of Music students. Their music will fill Chatlos Chapel from 7-9pm. Pieces will be played by our orchestra, wind ensemble, chorale, handbells, and more musical branches. This event is a Cairn tradition that brings campus together each year.

This season builds us together as a community. Despite all the stress, it builds joy and memories. We have a mere three weeks till the end of the semester. We’re going to make it, and we’re going to celebrate it—together.