Stetson's annual Yule lighting set for Tuesday, Dec. 4

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Making Christmas memories — Stetson University students sing Christmas carols during the 2010 Yule Log ceremonies. Students and community members will have a chance to make more memories during this year's Yule Log lighting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.

By Special to The Beacon

posted Nov 29, 2012 - 6:04:23pm

Stetson University invites the community to join in its annual Yule Log lighting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Hulley Tower between DeLand Hall and Chaudoin Hall, located at 513 N. Woodland Blvd.

The annual ritual, which traditionally opens the holiday season at Stetson University, is sponsored by the campus Student Christian Ministries and the Chaplain’s Office. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available across the street behind Allen Hall and Flagler Hall, both of which are located near the intersection of N. Woodland Blvd. and W. Minnesota Ave.

This tradition began at Stetson in 1938 with the lighting of candles in the women’s residence halls. According to tradition, the Yule Log ceremony, added 10 years later, brings good luck and happiness to those who take part.

Provost Beth Paul will offer the welcome to the community. Director of Choral Activities Timothy Peter will lead the Stetson student musicians, who in turn will lead the crowd in caroling, signaling the start of the outdoor festivities in front of the blazing Yule Log.

Honorary Stetson alumna Monya Winzer Gilbert, daughter of the late Geoffrey and Marjorie Gilbert of the Stetson University faculty, will recite the tradition of the Yule Log kindling. A custom traced to the Druids of northern Europe, it is said to bring good luck and happiness to all who take part.

Marjorie Gilbert researched and wrote the history of the Yule Log ceremony for Stetson.

Students will give the invocation and read from Scripture, and Stetson Chaplain Michael Fronk will offer a meditation on the meaning of the evening.

After the meditation, members of the Student Christian Ministries and other student ministries will invite participants to join them in casting sprigs on the fire, representing the year past, and in lighting candles from the Yule Log flame. Participants will then move to the Carlton Union Building circle, where refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

For more information, contact Stetson University's Chaplain's Office at 386-822-7523.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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