By: Lydia Rogers

The Xavier Yard was filled with elementary school children on Dec. 3 for A Xavier Christmas, an annual community celebration organized by the Xavier Christmas committee that kicks off the holiday season each year on campus.

“Xavier Christmas is an organization that aims to bring the joy of Christmas to local elementary school students,” Xavier Christmas co-chair Casey Hilder said. The committee invited 180 elementary school students to campus and prepared for an afternoon of Christmas celebration. The participating schools were Sharpsburg, Evanston, Norwood View, Williams, South Avondale and Fredrick Douglas Middle schools.

The activities began in Cintas Center, where the young participants met with their Xavier student buddies for games and arts and crafts. They received a pizza dinner with cookies and drinks before heading to the Xavier Yard for the evening’s activities.

The elementary school students were treated to a Harmon-X performance, the lighting of Xavier’s Christmas tree, a meet-and-greet with Santa and a viewing of a live nativity scene on the Xavier Yard.

“The event benefits the elementary school students tremendously and gives them a meaningful Christmas experience,” Hilder said. “It also provides an annual tradition with A Xavier Christmas for the Xavier and Cincinnati communities.” The event also stimulates a joint volunteer effort of Xavier students and Xavier University offices and departments.

“My favorite part of the event is when the students get in line to meet Santa,” Hilder said. “The happiness the kids show is always a privilege to see. They can make your day without even knowing it.”

Students who wish to get involved with the Xavier Christmas committee throughout the rest of the holiday season can join the group by signing up on Orgsync.