Lessons & Carols: Coming Together to Celebrate Traditions

Students and employees gathered in FoxHound Auditorium for the special service. Speakers took the podium to read passages from the Bible, recite a poem from Maya Angelou, and share stories about their own holidays and traditions, including Hanukkah, the Islamic tradition of Barakah, Sweden’s Jultomten, and Ethiopian Christmas. Their words and reflections gave the audience an appreciation for the many meaningful customs within our community.

Musical performances included soloists and group performances from Treble Club, Chorale, and the community. To watch videos of performances, readings, and remarks, please click here.

Art and Ceramics teacher Nance Sweet recounted memories of baking cookies with her mother, which continues to fill her holidays with warmth today. Holding her mother’s Hood’s Cookbook from 1920 in her hand, tattered pages still documenting the delicious gingerbread recipe they made in her youth, she smiled and shared her family’s beloved baking traditions. “The house felt full of warmth and something deeper, a sense of togetherness, something that we have here at Foxcroft.” Ms. Sweet’s memory illustrated that simple traditions can bring joy and warmth to the holidays. “When I catch that first scent of ginger and cinnamon baking in the oven, I’m right back there again with my mother, standing in honor of our simple holiday magic… Christmas cookies.”

Reflecting on her journey to Foxcroft and introduction to the Christmas holiday as an international student, senior Priscilla C. spoke of how the School’s traditions have become her own. “These traditions you shared with me turned Christmas into something I will never forget,” she said as she fondly recalled participating in the traditional Christmas Pageant as a New Girl and riding on the float with her classmates as a freshman. “All these traditions didn’t just teach me about Christmas; they taught me about Foxcroft. They taught me that this holiday is never about the celebrations themselves, but about including the New Girls, laughing at the silly moments, and showing up for each other, even in small ways.” To read about this year’s holiday weekend festivities earlier this month, click here. 

Head of School Dr. Lisa Kaenzig closed the Lessons & Carols service with remarks about love, light, and the meaning of Christmas. “All the different traditions that everyone has shared today are about things in winter to help bring more light to our community, to our world, to our families. They're also about passing down traditions across generations and all different kinds of families all around the world.”

Afterward, the community enjoyed a delicious Holiday Banquet with a special performance by Soggie Cheerios and a holiday poem recited by the student-led Community and Belonging Committee. Special thanks to the students, faculty, staff, and campus community for making this such a wonderful night of celebration!