Celebrating Christmas at MBU – 2022
With winter fast approaching and the air becoming crisper, jingle bells whisper in the wind as vibrant red and green colors begin to appear, meaning it must be getting close to Christmas time. This holiday season, MBU has put on a variety of activities and events throughout December leading up to Christmas break. Students had a blast participating in all the fun activities. Students who are a part of MBU’s Opinion Writing class also shared their favorite winter season foods as they look forward to spending time with friends and family during Christmas.
Every Christmas season, MBU’s Hanging of the Green takes place on the Quad. Each attendee is given a candle, which signifies the light of Jesus being born into the world and serves as a reminder for members of the MBU community to continue to “shine on” during the holidays as we are always reminded of the light of God that shines through us each day. All photos by Jessica Kunkel
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From Christmas crafts in thePerk to one of the biggest MBU events of the year, Hanging of the Green, there are many ways students can take a break from the stresses of school to enjoy the holiday spirit. MBU does an excellent job of showcasing all the elements that make Christmas such a special holiday by putting up Christmas lights outside all around campus, displaying two large Christmas trees – one in the Great Hall of the chapel building, the other in the Learning Center – and sharing the love of Jesus. At the epicenter of all these holiday decorations is MBU’s Hanging of the Green. This event emphasizes MBU’s continual focus on the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, during Christmas time. There are always fun events to do around Christmas time on MBU’s campus. These were the featured events of the 2022 Christmas season. Graphic courtesy of Missouri Baptist University After reading scripture from the Bible, Dr. Ross encourages the MBU community to keep Jesus at the forefront of all Christmas celebrations as we continue to seek and find ways to honor God and bless others this holiday season. The history of MBU’s Hanging of the Green can be found on Missouri Baptist University’s Website. Graphic created by Jessica Kunkel Hanging of the Green is such a blessing to experience because the MBU community gathers together to reflect on the fall semester and be reminded of God’s greatest blessing to the world: the birth of His son, Jesus. The events that take place during the month of December at MBU never disappoint and fill classrooms, halls and campus grounds with an abundance of Christmas joy. The true meaning of Christmas is being diligent in finding ways to glorify God as we celebrate and honor Jesus’ birth, and Missouri Baptist University wholeheartedly fulfills this mission each year. This December, they have once again accomplished making the MBU community feel loved and blessed as we all head into Christmas break and celebrate the holiday season.
— Celebrate Christmas with the MBU Community Below —
- On Nov. 30, MBU’s sorority, Gamma Delta Sigma, had its initiation in the Great Hall just in time to bring in the Christmas season. Standing in front of the beautifully adorned Christmas tree are the current members of the sorority dressed in black and the new members dressed in white. They are, from left to right: (back row) Sydney Berry, Emma Eaton, Jessica Kunkel, Hannah Duro, Trinity Fixer; (front row) McKenna Joern, Reese Compton, Jordann Willis, Summer Scherder.
- Jacob Simmons works on decorating a wooden Christmas present with different colored markers while attending the first Thursday in thePerk event on Dec. 1.
- During the first Thursday in thePerk event, Mallory Liddle, Brent Seyer and Noah Adams work on art projects together.
- Brent Seyer, along with other MBU students, attended Christmas Around the World in the Art Gallery where a multitude of delicious foods from many different countries around the globe were available to try.
- Marzipan potatoes were served at Christmas Around the World on Dec. 5. This food is definitely an acquired taste and has traditionally been most popular in Germany and other surrounding European countries during the holidays.
- Members of MBU’s choir sang Christmas hymns in mildly cold weather during the celebration of Missouri Baptist University’s Hanging of the Green.
- One of the featured speakers, Mallory Liddle, recites scripture in front of those who were in attendance of Hanging of the Green.
- After Hanging of the Green, thePerk provided refreshments for attendees. There was a plethora of Christmas cookies available to choose from. As cookies are a very popular must-have Christmas food, these treats were gone quite quickly.
- Along with cookies, thePerk provided a hot chocolate bar for people after Hanging of the Green. From marshmallows to peppermint chunks, there was a variety of fixins to add to hot chocolate drinks for optimal enjoyment.
- The Fine Arts concert that took place a couple hours after Hanging of the Green was brilliant. The sounds of the instruments and the singers were crisp and dazzling. For the opening piece, Dr. Jordan Cox, Fine Arts Assisant Professor and Music Director of Choral Activities, led MBU ringers, MBU chorale, and MBU choral society in a rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angles Sing.”
- MBU’s president Dr. Keith Ross, welcomes everyone who attended the Fine Arts Christmas concert.
- Many people attended MBU’s Fine Arts Christmas concert and were treated to the vibrant sounds of musicians and singers performing holiday classics such as “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson.
— Students of MBU’s Opinion Writing Class Share Their Favorite Christmas Foods —
My favorite Christmas food is my Christmas almond sugar cookies. They’re my grandma’s recipe, and she always cuts them into fun shapes with bright-colored icing. My favorite Christmas food is cookies. It’s not entirely conventional, I know, but I have a sweet tooth and there’s just something about the smell of fresh cookies this time of year that just puts me in the holiday spirit. Cookies are my favorite Christmas food. I have a special place in my heart for Christmas cookies because ever since I was little, my grandma and I would spend hours preparing holiday treats. My grandma makes the best chocolate chip cookies from scratch. I’m not sure I necessarily have a favorite Christmas food. Christmas cookies are always fun to eat and decorate over Christmas time, and that has always been something I enjoy. One of my favorite Christmas food traditions that my family and I do is make homemade pizzas for our Christmas day dinner.
Senior
Journalism
Washington, Illinois
Junior
Journalism
Fenton, Missouri
Senior
Journalism and Communications Studies with Dance Minor
Fenton, Missouri
Senior
Journalism and Communications Studies with Math Minor
St. Louis, Missouri
Missouri Baptist University and MBU Timeline wish everyone a very merry and blessed Christmas. We hope students, faculty and staff have a joyous and restful break as we all take time to glorify God and celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. Merry Christmas Spartans.
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