News

Georgetown Celebrates Spirit of Christmas with Advent and Carols

December 17, 2013

Georgetown celebrates the holiday season with advent services, carols and cheer with members of the university community and its neighbors. View the photos.

Two Christmas trees are lit in front of Healy Hall at dusk

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, Rev. Kevin O'Brien seen behind a pillar talks to an audience

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, Attendees look on seated in pews

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, A conductor leads a choir holding their music folders in a church

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, Jack the Bulldog sits in front of a Christmas tree on the carpet

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, Two singers stand in front of a microphone with their music folders and a tree in the background

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, Singers stand in a semicircle on stage in Gaston Hall wearing Christmas regalia

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, A lit Christmas tree stands in Dahlgren Quadrangle surrounded by light posts with Christmas lights

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, John J. DeGioia stands with students holding a copy of the new holiday album in a room

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, Children kneel at tables decorating while a choir stands above with music folders singing in the Philodemic Room

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, A singing group stands with music folders behind presents while singing

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, Garlands decorate the shelfs of Riggs Library as below community members mingle

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, A graphic reads Seasons Greetings from the Hilltop with Healy Hall in the background

Christmas trees in front of Healy Hall light the way on campus.

Georgetown began celebrating Christmas with a variety of programs and events that focused on spiritual, musical and communal traditions.

“During this time of year, our Georgetown community comes together in many ways, in the spirit that animates our community,” says Georgetown President John J. DeGioia.

Rain did little to dampen the spirits of university community members on Dec. 6 when the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was moved inside to Gaston Hall. Student singing groups took the stage to entertain a filled Gaston Hall as the audience awaited the lighting of the tree.

That same day, the tiny tots of Georgetown faculty and staff enjoyed sweet candies and other confections during the annual Children’s Holiday Party hosted by the president’s office.

The Dec. 6 evening closed with an Advent Lessons and Carols program at nearby Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where members of the Georgetown community gathered with members of neighboring communities to celebrate the anticipation of Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus Christ.

“This spirit of peace and hope is especially meaningful to us now, in this holiday season, and calls on us to reflect upon the unique contributions each of us can make – by virtue of our talents, gifts and passions – to one another, this community, and our global family, especially those most in need,” says DeGioia.

This year also called for celebrating the university’s release of a holiday album featuring seven a cappella student groups. Joy To The World: Holiday A Cappella Vocal Music, Georgetown University 2013 may be downloaded from Loudr! and iTunes.

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