Lighting of the Quad and Festival of Lights Celebrate Christmas Season at Mississippi College

Mississippi College’s Lighting of the Quad is all about the true spirit of Christmas.

As part of the November 27^th event that sees Christmas lights brightening the Clinton campus, students are collecting hundreds of T-shirts to ship to needy families in Nicaragua. At last year’s event, there was a tremendous response as students sent more than 800 T-shirts to the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

“I believe as Americans, we receive so much stuff, that it is important to give back part of our blessings to the underprivileged,” says MC sophomore Robert Sandoval of Decatur, Alabama. “Especially at this time of year, we should give out of love so that others will see the love of Christ in us.”

Sandoval and MC classmate, communication major  Moriah Chitwood of Little Rock, Arkansas, are the student leaders teaming up on the T-shirt drive and seeking to donate as many as 75 Christmas trees to local families.

Linked to that spirit of giving, the Lighting the Quad will illuminate the center of the MC campus at 8:30 p.m. that Tuesday evening. There will be a memorable night of delicious cookies, mugs of hot chocolate and other goodies to welcome visitors amid the traditional songs of the Christmas season. Professor Terry Dent will entertain children and other family members by reading Christmas stories. The Clinton community is invited to this free event.

Another centerpiece of Mississippi College’s holiday season will be the 27^th annual Festival of Lights at Provine Chapel. Featuring the nationally-acclaimed Mississippi College Singers, the group and a string quartet will present a newly-commissioned piece of music on November 29. The rest of the night will feature favorite carols and musical expressions of the season from countries around the world.

Expect the 450-seat Provine Chapel to be packed for all performances, from Thursday’s opening night through Saturday December 1. Each show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for faculty and staff and $5 for any student with a school identification card. It’s best to purchase tickets in advance.

Department of Music Chairman James Meaders directs the MC Singers in what should be another unforgettable presentation in the historic chapel. In Scripture and music, the Festival of Lights tells the story of God’s redemptive work in the world and celebrates the birth of Jesus. A darkened chapel is brightened by singers holding candles at the production’s final moments.

The holiday season at the Christian university is again featuring the theatrical performances of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” It portrays the adventures of the awful Herdman kids who finally learn the meaning of the season when they appear in a church pageant.

Professor Sandra Grayson directs the cast in this Department of Communication classic. The show is based on Barbara Robinson’s adaptation of her beloved children’s book. Tickets are $5 for students, and $8 for adults. Performances are 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on November 27, 10 a.m. on Nov. 28-30, and 2:30 p.m. on December 1-2. All of the shows will be in Swor Auditorium. For more information, call 601.925.3229.

Another fall MC program that welcomes the public will be the Winter Choral Concert featuring the Men’s Glee Club and Women’s Chamber. The program is at 7:30 p.m. on November 27 at Provine Chapel. The event is free.

For additional details, contact Dottie Serio at the Department of Music at 601.925.3440 or stop by her office at 204 Aven Hall.