Samford University’s oldest Christmas tradition–Christmas Around the World, dating to at least 1957– is also one of its most popular. The university expects standing-room-only for the 10 a.m. event in Reid Chapel Dec. 3, and offers both an overflow venue (Brooks Auditorium) and a live stream.

Join us however you are able as our Departments of World Languages and Cultures, Classics and Religion offer prayers, scripture readings and music in 20 languages, ranging from Ancient Greek and Biblical Hebrew to Hindi, Swahili, Haitian Creole, and Korean. Other highlights will include first-hand student accounts of Christmas in other countries, a carillon concert by Steve Knight prior to the event and a mass singing of “Silent Night” at its close.

Christmas Around the World opens a week of free, public celebrations at Samford, including:

Bells of Buchanan Christmas Handbells Concert
Sponsored by Patty McDonald
Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Brock Recital Hall
FREE

Christmas Chalk Talk last year and Bells of Buchanan
Dec. 5 , 10 a.m.
Reid Chapel
Samford’s handbell ensemble and visual arts professor Lowell Vann present a visually and musically inspiring event. Seating is limited, so be sure to arrive early.
FREE

Hanging of the Green
Dec. 5, 6 p.m.
Reid Chapel
University Chorale and University Ministries present our traditional celebration of advent
FREE

Lighting of the Way
Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Centennial Walk
Experience one of the most beautiful visions of Samford’s Quad—candle-lit pathways, a magnificent tree and, at the flip of a switch, the seasonal lighting of Centennial Walk.
FREE

Handel’s Messiah (Christmas portion)
Presented by the Division of Music
Sponsored by the Vestavia Mafia
Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Reid Chapel
FREE