Lights—and Light

It’s hard to celebrate Christmas without lights. We string them on lampposts, wrap them around pines, or set candles in the window. Lights kindle hope, and trumpet the coming of Christmas. If your street is dark in December that must mean that the Grinch lurks nearby. Or perhaps Scrooge just stopped payments to National Grid.

Started in 1990, Gordon Christmas Gala became a bright spot on the North Shore’s holiday landscape. But in 1992, as the community listened to an evening performance by Gordon’s ensembles, the power failed. For a moment there was silence as the audience and the performers fumbled through the darkness. Amid the confusion, the orchestra struck up a carol, and soon the entire auditorium joined in to sing. Another tradition had been born. At this year’s Gala we continued that tradition of singing carols in the dark.

But the music also reminds us that the real lights of Christmas are not the ones we have strung on our own. Whether you were able to be with us at the Gala the weekend of December 3–4 or are one of many alumni and friends of the College in far-flung locations worldwide, may you be blessed as we celebrate the One who brings light—and life—to all.

Mark L. Sargent, Provost

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