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Christmas carols echoed throughout Pepperdine鈥檚 Malibu campus and the night grew speckled with candlelight as more than 800 members of the Pepperdine community gathered in Mullin Town Square to celebrate the University鈥檚 17th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, December 2.

Students singing by candlelight 

鈥淭onight as we light these candles we鈥檙e doing more than just illuminating a small spark,鈥� said Doug Hurley, associate dean of student affairs, who delivered the event鈥檚 devotional. 鈥淲e鈥檙e sharing in that great light of Jesus Christ鈥攖he light of hope, the light of joy, the light of truth. Let鈥檚 take that spark that we receive and share it tonight. Let your light shine before all people.鈥� 

Gathered around the 31-foot pine tree, attendees sang traditional Christmas music led by WAVES WORSHIP and Won by One, Pepperdine鈥檚 six-member a cappella performing group. In following, Katie Price, campus programs coordinator, presented the tree lighting's dedicatory verse, John 1:4-5.  

鈥淭his is a really special time for us to come together as a community, to reflect, to pray, and to remember what the Christmas season is all about,鈥� Price shared. 鈥淎s we step into a time together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I want to remind us of that verse that reads 鈥業n Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light that shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.鈥欌�� 

Students posing for photos

As Pepperdine鈥檚 Christmas tree was lit, students convened for photos with candles and hot chocolate in hand. Later reflecting on the night, many expressed their gratitude for a dedicated time to celebrate the holidays in fellowship. 

Seaver junior Maria Eugenia shared that this was her third year attending the tree-lighting ceremony, describing it as a special moment she anticipates annually. While offering respite from final exam preparation, Eugenia added that the tree lighting gives her a chance to catch up with close friends. 

鈥淐hristmas spirit fills this place,鈥� said Eugenia, 鈥渂ecause of our amazing community and the many different ways to celebrate the holidays while engaging with our faith.鈥� 

More than 100 Pepperdine alumni attended the event, each of whom was welcomed to an alumni reception held at sunset before the official tree lighting. 

A native of Germany, alumna Helen Winter (LLM 鈥�17), who now serves as a professor of mediation, law, and practice at the Caruso School of Law, attended the reception with her friend and colleague Veronica Basadre (鈥�11, MBA 鈥�18, MDR 鈥�22). Winter notes that she chose to teach at her alma mater because of the sense of home the University provides for international members. 

Alumni reception 

鈥淧epperdine feels like family day in and day out,鈥� Winter shared. 鈥淐hristmas is a season of love鈥攐f being intentional with showing care for those around us鈥攁nd it is clear that Pepperdine values this. As a former international student myself, guiding other international students is my passion. I really believe Pepperdine does an amazing job at supporting its whole community, including students from other countries.鈥�  

Echoing Winter鈥檚 sentiments, Basadre added, 鈥淚 love the event鈥檚 focus on Christ. The Christlike principles that Pepperdine embodies, such as joy, peace, and serving others, are what create the college鈥檚 special spirit during the holidays.鈥� 

For 40 years alumnus Bruce Monroe (鈥�73, MA 鈥�76, JD 鈥�88) has returned to Pepperdine during the holidays to perform Christmas music on the soprano recorder. As a triple alumnus, Monroe carries both deep institutional memory of the University as well as a familial bond; his mother, Lois Ayles, graduated from Pepperdine鈥檚 original Los Angeles campus in 1945. 

He said, 鈥淚 choose to return to Pepperdine every year to share my music with a college that has been important to my family for generations.鈥� 

Images provided by photographer Dane Malzahn.