Hanging of the Green and Lighting of the Way are the two traditions at Samford that I have been working forward to the most since I first came to school. Christmas has always been my absolute favorite holiday, and I could not imagine any better way to celebrate than being alongside my fellow Bulldogs as they decorate Reid Chapel and then light up the Quad for Christmas.

Hanging of the Green in Reid Chapel was a beautiful ceremony. I thought it was an awesome way to honor the seniors, by allowing them to decorate the chapel for Christmas. And, all this was amidst the angelic voices of the choir and an incredible performance by the Bells of Buchanan. Talk about goosebumps! Everything about the service was steeped in tradition, and I felt honored to be a part of it.

Afterwards, my friends and I headed out to grab a good spot on the Quad for Lighting of the Way. When we walked out of the chapel, all the sidewalks were lit with luminaries; it was amazing.

My favorite part of the evening was seeing the Christmas tree on Centennial Walk all lit up, as well as the giant star on the library. When everything lit up, it took my breath away. Samford is already a beautiful campus, but to see it all lit up for Christmas is an experience like no other. I couldn't stop taking pictures of everything the whole night!

As with Homecoming, I spotted several Samford graduates who came back to celebrate this magnificent tradition at their alma mater. One family was even honored in the Hanging of the Green ceremony by designing their own ornament to put on the tree. I love that Samford places so much of an emphasis on honoring past students, and I also think it's great that these graduates love Samford enough to keep coming back to bea part of these traditions!

The other great part of the night was the concert by Humming House that started right after the tree was lit. They played a mix of Christmas music and original songs, and they kept the energy going for everyone on the Quad-well, that and the hot chocolate.

I was blown away by the whole evening-the beauty of the traditions, the Christmas spirit all over Samford, and the excitement of finally getting to be apart of it all. Hanging of the Green and Lighting of the Way are my new favorite Samford traditions, and it's definitely something worth looking forward to at Samford!