Traditions for the Holidays

by Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. ('92, MA '94)

The holidays are coming, and today I want to share a couple of holiday traditions that your first-year students can (and should!) partake in between now and final exams.

The Lighting of the Quad will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 28 on the Quad (Hearn Plaza). Student Union puts on this annual celebration, and it is a great feel-good event spanning multiple faith traditions. There will be musical performances, hot beverages, pastries, reflections, and the lighting of the campus Menorah, Christmas trees, and Quad trees. Here’s a sneak peek from a past Lighting of the Quad.

Members of the Wake Forest community celebrate the Lighting of the Quad ceremony on Hearn Plaza on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

The Wake Forest Lovefeast will be held Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in Wait Chapel. This annual candlelight service is one of my favorite Wake Forest traditions because it’s a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. It also gives students a much-needed study break before exams begin.

Following a tradition started by Wake Forest students in 1965, our entire campus gathers for holiday carols and inspirational readings. There is a communal ‘meal’ consisting of a Moravian bun (which is sort of like a sweet hamburger roll with nutmeg and allspice) and a cup of sweetened coffee. The highlight of the evening is when the chapel goes dark, then Moravian candles are lit one-by-one, until the chapel is filled with the glow of candlelight. 

It really is a special evening that many Wake Foresters cherish. While broadly a Christmas service, all are welcome. Parents and families are invited to join remotely via livestream at lovefeast.wfu.edu.

Wake Forest University hosts its annual Lovefeast celebration in Wait Chapel on Sunday, December 4, 2011. The Lovefeast, a Moravian Christmas tradition, brings together members of the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities.

Late Night Breakfast will be held December 6 at 10 p.m. in the Pit. This is such a fun event during the lead up to finals. Students can come to the Pit at night to carb-load and eat some great breakfast proteins to fuel them for studying. There traditionally is music, and some giveaways, and faculty and staff work the food stations. It’s a lot of fun and builds community. Some students come in pajamas. They are my favorite.

Chanukah on the Quad will be held on the Lower Quad on Thursday, December 7 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Your Deacs can kick-off Chanukah with a donut and latka bar, music, a giant menorah and dreidel, and much more!

The menorah for Chanukah

Traditions like these help our students have a sense of the spirit of the holiday season. We hope your Deacs will take advantage of these fun and festive offerings.

 

 

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support.