December 2, 2015
MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER (12/1/15) - East Texas Baptist University students, staff and faculty know Jesus is the true reason for this upcoming holiday season, university President Blair Blackburn said Tuesday during the university's annual "Christmas on the Hill" celebration.
"We at East Texas Baptist University know that Christ is the true meaning behind Christmas," Blackburn said. "Christmas is about the hope, joy and love that comes from God through His son, Christ our savior."
A couple hundred students, staff, faculty and their families gathered on the university's hill to sing carols, watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and hear Blackburn read the Christmas story as it's told from the Bible in the second chapter of Luke.
"And the angel said unto them, fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people," Blackburn read. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
Event-goers fought the cold temperatures during the celebration by drinking free hot chocolate and eating Christmas cookies. This year's celebration also included free horse carriage rides around the university's grounds.
"For many of our students that live far away, this celebration kicks off the Christmas season with their ETBU family before they are able to go home and be with their families," Blackburn said. "This is just a joyous time for our students to come together and as a family and celebrate Christmas together."
Used by permission www.marshallnewsmessenger.com, story by Education Reporter Bridget Ortigo)