As finals week approaches and the fall semester winds down, excitement is building across the Southern Nazarene University campus. For many students, Christmas break is more than just a pause from classes. It is a time to rest, reconnect with family and celebrate traditions that bring comfort and joy.
The holiday season has a special way of bringing people closer together, and SNU students are no exception. After months of studying, group presentations and campus events, the chance to return home provides a meaningful reset. Many students look forward to spending time with family and being able to share the memories they have made at SNU so far.
Christmas traditions play a big role in how students celebrate this time of year. Some enjoy simple family gatherings, such as baking together or decorating a tree. Others participate in faith-centered traditions like attending Christmas Eve services or reading the story of Christ’s birth. These small but meaningful traditions allow students to pause and reflect on the values of gratitude, hope and love that align with SNU’s commitment to faith and community.
For freshman Shayle McGlocklin, Christmas break is a time to slow down and enjoy Christmas traditions with her family. She plans to spend her time at home, surrounded by her relatives and the break she has been waiting for. “I am so excited to see my family and to just stay home for only the weekend, and I am so ready for the food. I love getting to go and see my dad’s side of the family on Christmas Eve.”
One of her favorite traditions is her family’s love for all things Grinch. She said she does not have the usual all-white Christmas decor or the trending Ralph Lauren Christmas look. Instead, her Christmas is a Grinch Christmas. “My family loves the Grinch. We have collected so many Grinch ornaments and all green decorations. My aunt would dress up as the Grinch and hide our presents in the yard. We would have to go and search to find them.” For her, these moments represent the heart of the holiday season by being together and making unforgettable memories.
The joy and unity found in these traditions often mirror the atmosphere on campus. Throughout the fall, SNU creates an environment where relationships are strengthened between classmates, professors and peers. The same spirit carries into the holiday season, reminding students of the importance of compassion and kindness both on and off campus. Whether it is helping a friend pack to go home or exchanging a small gift in the dorms, the excitement of the season brings the SNU community even closer.
As students prepare to leave the dorms for Christmas break, there is a shared sense of gratitude for the semester behind them and anticipation for the one ahead. The lights on campus, the cheerful goodbyes and the excitement of going home all mark the beginning of a season that encourages peace. No matter where they will spend the holidays, whether decorating the tree, searching for presents the Grinch hid or attending church, SNU students carry the spirit of togetherness that defines both Christmas and the university itself.
Photo by: SNU Creative