Christmas carols echoed throughout Pepperdine’s Malibu campus and the night grew speckled with candlelight as more than 800 members of the Pepperdine community gathered in Mullin Town Square to celebrate the University’s 17th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, December 2.

学生在烛光下唱歌

“Tonight as we light these candles we’re doing more than just illuminating a small spark,” said Doug Hurley, associate dean of student affairs, who delivered the event’s devotional. “We’re sharing in that great light of Jesus Christ—the light of hope, the light of joy, the light of truth. Let’s take that spark that we receive and share it tonight. 愿你的光照耀在万人面前。”

Gathered around the 31-foot pine tree, attendees sang traditional Christmas music led by 波拜 and 以一胜, Pepperdine’s six-member a cappella performing group. In following, Katie Price, campus programs coordinator, presented the tree lighting's dedicatory verse, John 1:4-5.

“This is a really special time for us to come together as a community, to reflect, to pray, and to remember what the Christmas season is all about,” Price shared. “As we step into a time together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I want to remind us of that verse that reads ‘In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light that shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.’”

摆姿势拍照的学生

As Pepperdine’s Christmas tree was lit, students convened for photos with candles and hot chocolate in hand. Later reflecting on the night, many expressed their gratitude for a dedicated time to celebrate the holidays in fellowship.

Seaver junior Maria Eugenia shared that this was her third year attending the tree-lighting ceremony, describing it as a special moment she anticipates annually. While offering respite from final exam preparation, Eugenia added that the tree lighting gives her a chance to catch up with close friends.

“Christmas spirit fills this place,” said Eugenia, “because of our amazing community and the many different ways to celebrate the holidays while engaging with our faith.”

More than 100 Pepperdine alumni attended the event, each of whom was welcomed to an alumni reception held at sunset before the official tree lighting.

A native of Germany, alumna Helen Winter (LLM ’17), who now serves as a professor of mediation, law, and practice at the 华体会体育, attended the reception with her friend and colleague Veronica Basadre (’11, MBA ’18, MDR ’22). Winter notes that she chose to teach at her alma mater because of the 家的感觉 the University provides for international members.

校友的接待

温特说：“佩珀代因大学每天都感觉像一个家庭。 “Christmas is a season of love—of being intentional with showing care for those around us—and it is clear that Pepperdine values this. As a former international student myself, guiding other international students is my passion. I really believe Pepperdine does an amazing job at supporting its whole community, including students from other countries.”

呼应温特的观点，Basadre补充道：“我喜欢这个活动对基督的关注。 The Christlike principles that Pepperdine embodies, such as joy, peace, and serving others, are what create the college’s special spirit during the holidays.”

For 40 years alumnus Bruce Monroe (’73, MA ’76, JD ’88) has returned to Pepperdine during the holidays to perform Christmas music on the soprano recorder. As a triple alumnus, Monroe carries both deep institutional memory of the University as well as a familial bond; his mother, Lois Ayles, graduated from Pepperdine’s original Los Angeles campus in 1945.

He said, “I choose to return to Pepperdine every year to share my music with a college that has been important to my family for generations.”

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所有图片由摄影师Dane Malzahn提供