Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Tree Lighting Ceremony


During this time of year we celebrate in many ways. One way people celebrate is by putting Christmas decorations up. The most widely known decoration is the Christmas tree. For everyone the meaning of a Christmas tree is different. It can symbolize something as simple as what the Christmas presents sit under, to the lights symbolizing the hope and happiness that this time of year brings. For our area, the Christmas tree is a symbol of the community coming together.


For one individual in particular the service was more than just lighting up a tree. Jamie O’Brian, who is a 21-year old junior at Allegany College, explained her reasons for what makes the service so special are a little more personal. “For me the tree is a symbol of happiness and hope, everyone is always in such a caring and cheerful mood this time of year.” She continued by speaking about some of her childhood. “Growing up as a kid we didn’t always have a lot of money to spend on gifts but we always had a pretty tree to look at. Really for us it’s always been about family and cherishing the time together with people we care about.”


            This happy attitude and general joy in the atmosphere was exemplified during the tree lighting ceremony that took place on November 23rd Jordon Kline, a 19-year-old male who is a junior here at Frostburg, commented on the over all atmosphere saying, “the atmosphere was great, there were a lot of people there.” Besides the tree lighting, there were other events and activities that took place. John Goss, a 20-year-old male who is also a FSU student, named some of these activities saying there were “free carriage rides, free trolley rides, and the train was there.”  So what does a Christmas tree mean to you? Is it just a tree with lights and garland or is there a more sentimental? 

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