The Emory community will celebrate holidays in the coming weeks with musical programs, conversations and special religious services. All events are open to the public, and most are free.
Here are some highlights, but check websites such as the Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, Candler School of Theology, the Oxford College Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Emory Arts for updates.
Bodhi Day Celebration
Thursday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m.
Cannon Chapel Sanctuary
Cost: Free
Bodhi Day is celebrated in the Mahayana Tradition of Buddhism to commemorate the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha. Emory Buddhist community and spiritual friends from Atlanta will gather to celebrate this occasion in spiritual reflection, contemplation and gratitude. Vegetarian dinner will follow the spiritual practice. For questions or more information, please contact Buddhist Chaplain Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman psraman@emory.edu. RSVP for dinner here.
Oxford Chorale Holiday Concert
Friday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.
Oxford College, Williams Hall Auditorium
Cost: $5; purchase tickets at the door or through the OxTheatre Box Office.
Enjoy holiday music featuring the Oxford Chorale and the Oxford Chamber Ensemble.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Friday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m.
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, Sanctuary
Cost: $20; purchase tickets for all performances.
One of Emory's longest-standing annual traditions, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols presents choral music from the Emory Concert Choir and University Chorus and scripture readings by special guests from the Emory community. This service, dating back to 1935, brings beautiful music and spreads a message of peace.
Oxapella Winter Concert
Saturday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.
Oxford College, Williams Gym
Cost: Free
Advent Catholic Mass
Sunday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m.
Cannon Chapel
Cost: Free
Join these special services during the weeks leading to Christmas Day.
Beloved Community Advent Worship Service
Sunday, Dec. 3
Worship Service, 11 a.m.
Lunch, Noon
Cannon Chapel
Cost: Free
Join us as we celebrate Advent with worship and lunch. For questions, please contact OSRL Christian Chaplain, The Rev. Maddie Henderson at mhend25@emory.edu.
Christmas Party in the Oxford Student Center
Sunday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m.
Oxford Student Center, Greer Forum
Cost: Free
Oxford’s Christian clubs will host a Christmas party with special food, cookie decorating, ornament making and other festive activities.
Emory Christian Life Christmas Party
Sunday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m.
Emory Interfaith Center
Cost: Free
Join Emory OSRL, Christian Religious Life Affiliates, and Christian Student Organizations for a joint Christmas party at the Emory Interfaith Center. There will be hot chocolate and hot cider, a s’mores bar and ornament decorating. RSVP on The Hub. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
Fusion Fall Semester Showcase “A Winter Spectacle”
Sunday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.
Oxford College, Williams Hall
Cost: Free
Oxford Dance Company Performance
Monday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Oxford College, Williams Hall Auditorium
Cost: Free
Carols in the Chapel
Tuesday, December 5, 11:05 a.m.
Cannon Chapel Sanctuary and online (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or the Candler livestream)
Cost: Free
Sermons will be available on Vimeo after the services. For more information, contact Khalia J. Williams, associate dean of worship and music at Candler School of Theology.
Volunteer Oxford Holiday Wrapping Party
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m.
Oxford Student Center, Greer Forum
Cost: Free
Enjoy a movie, hot chocolate and cookies while wrapping gifts.
Study Break with the Advising Support Center
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.
Oxford College, in front of Seney Hall
Cost: Free
Stop by for some hot cocoa and candy canes.
Study Cozy Fest, presented by Med Club
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.
Oxford College Library, Classroom 201
Cost: Free
Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and letters.
Finals Coffee Kick-Off
Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:45 a.m.
Oxford Quadrangle
Cost: Free
Grab a donut and a cup of coffee (and maybe even a pep talk) at the start of finals season with Oxford’s ORSL team.
Emory Chanukah Celebration
Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m.
Emory Kaldi's, Emory Student Center
Cost: Free
All are welcome for Chanukah celebration sponsored by Emory’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life in conjunction with Chabad, Hillel and Meor. Chanukah snacks will be provided as well as a festive candle lighting. Come shine light and share joy with the whole Emory community. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.
Chanukah Party with Oxford’s Jewish Student Union
Menorah Lighting with Chabad: Thursday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.
Party: Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Oxford Dining Hall and Dean’s Dining Room
Cost: Free
The Oxford Jewish Student Union will celebrate the start of Chanukah by lighting the Menorah with the campus community on the first night of Chanukah with games, gelt and other fun activities.
Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Friday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m.
University Catholic Center
Cost: Free
Join Mass in celebration of the conception of Mary without original sin. This is a holy day of obligation.
Catholic Student Union Christmas Party
Friday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.
University Catholic Center
Cost: Free
Celebrate the end of classes with fun and games at the CSU Christmas party. Enjoy carols performed by members of the music ministry, get a picture taken with Santa and decorate the Catholic Center for the Christmas season. Dinner will be served.
A Service of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Sanctuary
Cost: Free
Santa’s Favorite Chamber Music
Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m.
Michael C. Carlos Museum; Ackerman Hall
Cost: Free with admission to the museum
The Carlos Museum and the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta welcome Old Saint Nick himself to share some of his favorite works of classical music and lead a holiday sing-along with pianists Julie Coucheron and William Ransom.
Christmas Caroling for all ages and Children’s Nativity Pageant
Sunday, Dec. 17, 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Ward Fellowship Hall
Cost: Free
Nativity Petting Zoo
Sunday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m.
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Amphitheater
Cost: Free
In the Bleak Midwinter: A Service of Grief and Hope
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m.
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; The Little Chapel
Cost: Free
Christmas Eve Services
Sunday, Dec. 24, 11 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m.
Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Sanctuary
Cost: Free
Christmas Vigil Mass
Sunday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.
Cannon Chapel
Cost: Free