'A Xavier Christmas' welcomes children to campus

150 elementary school children will be special guests

Xavier University once again kicks off the holiday season with ‘A Xavier Christmas’ on Tuesday, December 9. Over 150 elementary school students from Hoffman-Parham, Frederick Douglass, Sharpsburg, Williams, Allison Street, and Norwood View schools will be special guests of the University and will be accompanied by more than 150 Xavier Buddies (students). The children will have an opportunity to meet Santa Claus and see a live nativity scene among other activities.

Xavier University President Michael J. Graham, S.J., and Campus Minister Al Bischoff, S.J., will join the participants at the Sally Watson Tree for a special tree lighting ceremony. Xavier’s Physical Plant staff always creates a breathtaking display for all. The Xavier University Gospel Choir will also perform.

Additionally, on-campus residents are competing in a window decorating contest to help decorate the campus for the visiting children. Faculty, students and staff have collected new gloves to be distributed to the children in attendance and sent to other children in need. On the day of the event, all the children will receive fleece scarves color coordinated by school.

The evening schedule is:

3:30 p.m.: Children from six elementary schools arrive at Cintas Center for pizza and pictures with Santa.
5:30 p.m.: Nativity scene featuring live animals on the green space near Bellarmine Chapel.
6:00 p.m.: Tree lighting ceremony on the residential mall in front of the Gallagher Student Center with Frs. Graham and Bischoff. The Xavier University Gospel Choir will perform.
6:30 p.m.: Elementary school children depart.