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Holiday Spirit at St. John's School

By Cara Maines, St. John's School, School Buzz Reporter | December 17, 2014

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Decorations sparkle in St. John the Divine at Candlelight, an annual Christmas concert for the entire school.

The holiday spirit took hold at SJS around late-November and is continuing as exams and winter break take full force.

In the past, a menorah and Christmas tree have adorned the cafeteria. This year, we do not have a cafeteria, so all the decorations are outside the headmaster’s office, where a fire crackles throughout the winter.

Another holiday tradition is Candlelight, an annual concert in the church St. John the Divine. Musicians from all grades and skill levels perform, including choirs, jazz bands and orchestra. The Chamber Strings or Wind Ensemble players typically accompany some of the Christmas carols sung by the choirs.

Immediately following Candlelight is a Wassail Party, in which performers and guests snack on refreshments and wassail, a lime green punch. Upper school ensembles Jazz Band and Kantorei, the highest-level choir at SJS, perform as Candlelight attendees relax and chat.

Students also have the opportunity to combine club activities with the holiday spirit. After providing pumpkins and tools for jack o lantern carving in October, Art Club sponsors gingerbread house making in December. Graham crackers, frosting and gum drops (or other candies) are all it takes to create the perfect masterpiece to later display in the school.

Bible Study sponsors another Christmas drive known as Operation Christmas Child. Students from throughout the high school donate shoes, candy, school supplies and toys, and then Bible Study packages the gifts in shoe boxes and ships them to underprivileged children who may not otherwise receive holiday gifts.

A final holiday tradition of giving at SJS is the toy drive. The Student Affairs Council (SAC) organizes a drive for children in Child Protective Students so that SJS students can provide them with some holiday gifts. Advisories decide on which gifts to purchase, while SAC representatives coordinate with CPS and send them the presents.