Diversity of Traditions Light Up Evening
Students, faculty and staff took the time to recognize the themes of light and unity that seem to prevail throughout the various traditions of the holiday season during the 17th annual Celebration of Lights held on December 11 in BLC Cavalla Room.
Rance Robeson, a junior English major and the creator of Rider’s new literary magazine On Fire!!, read his poem The Celebration of Lights.
“Let’s just for a moment, light the candle and have its brightness highlight the things we don’t know about one another. So that the dialogue can create everlasting friendships of individuals who understand each other,” Robeson recited.
Don Brown, director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs, which hosts the event each year, said Robeson’s words highlighted the purpose of the event. “Light connects all our celebrations,” Brown explained.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the unity candle. As part of the event’s tradition, Dr. William Guthrie, professor of Education, told a Native American folklore before lighting the candle with flames, which he created by natural means.
The event featured stations highlighting the traditions of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, Three Kings Day, Boxing Day and Diwali, which literally means Celebration of Light. The crowd walked from station to station to learn about the origins and customs of the holidays, as explained by student organizations.
Participating organizations include Asian Students of Rider University, Black Student Union, Catholic Campus Ministry, Protestant Campus Ministry, Latin American Student Organization, Hillel and Rider’s Organization of Caribbean Affiliated Students and Muslim Student Association.
Performances also added to the festivity of the evening. Westminster Choir College Student Government Association President Ryan LaBoy led the singing of God Bless America, in honor of a nation that grants everyone the freedom to celebrate the holidays in their own way. The Gospel Choir sang the unity song Let There Be Peace on Earth.
