WILSON, N.C. — November 27, 2018 — Crisscrossed walkways lined with luminaries, carved turkey and dressing served with all the trimmings, the magic of a towering Christmas tree twinkling with lights, familiar Christmas readings shared aloud, and memory-stirring melodies filling the night air — this awaited all who joined the Barton College community for the much anticipated 2018 Lighting of the Luminaries and the Service of Lessons and Carols. Ushering in the Christmas season, this longstanding Barton tradition was held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, and the surrounding community was invited to join the festive celebration.
The holiday celebration began with a candlelit dinner served in the Hamlin Student Center Dining Hall at 5 p.m.
Earlier at 4 p.m., Barton students were out and about, lighting more than 2,000 luminaries across 32 acres of the main campus. And, by 6 p.m., students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and friends of the College joined members from the greater Wilson community in front of the Aileen and Bill Parish Plaza, outside Howard Chapel on center campus, for the blessing and lighting of the Christmas tree. The outdoor program included brief remarks by Barton College President Douglas N. Searcy and Chaplain David Finnegan-Hosey, as well as musical selections by students.
Immediately following the blessing and lighting of the tree, participants moved to Howard Chapel for the annual Service of Christmas Lessons and Carols featuring the Barton College Choir led by music director Mark Peterson. The musical selections was interspersed with readings of scripture by members of the Barton community. Chaplain Finnegan-Hosey presided over the program.
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