Today, Christian educator Rick Cherok shares his fond memories of the Christmas traditions at Restoration Hall at Cincinnati Christian University.
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By Rick Cherok
During my 20 years as a professor at Cincinnati Christian University (1998 to 2018), I had the very good fortune of also serving 13 years as resident director of Restoration Hall, the men’s dormitory on CCU’s campus. As anyone could guess, having oversight of 170 or more college men had its share of challenges and difficulties. But I always joyfully anticipated the annual midyear events that surrounded the end of the fall semester and the onset of the Christmas season.
It usually began right after Thanksgiving, when my longtime assistant resident director and his wife, Craig and Shelby Shady, decorated the dormitory’s entry area as inspiration for the dorm’s students returning from their break. Restoration Hall had four floors that were divided into north and south wings, and the residents of each wing of the dorm were encouraged to decorate their hallways in the hopes of receiving a floor prize—a pizza party or something similar—if they won the decorating contest.
It was such a delight to see the students’ creativity as they worked together to decorate their floors in anticipation of an open dorm in which their professors, administrators, and the female residents of campus were invited to walk through and view their decked halls!
Along with the floor decorating contest and the other seasonal campuswide activities, Restoration Hall had a special All-Dorm Christmas Devotion that was always memorable and enjoyable. As Christmas cookies and other snacks were served (college students always appreciated snacks!), the gathering of young men watched a video or two that their fellow residents created for the holiday festivities. These videos were always a source of great fun and laughter.
Everyone was given a numbered ticket as they entered the dorm’s lobby, as a drawing for Christmas prizes was an annual part of the celebration. Some of the prizes were joke gifts—a framed photo of me, an autographed can of soda (signed by me)—but others were more worthwhile—gift cards and movies on DVD. Whatever the gift, it was always a delight to distribute them to the student with the winning ticket and watch their exuberance at receiving a prize.
The Christmas Devo also included a time of singing Christmas songs, which may have been my favorite part of the entire season. Few things stir my heart more than hearing a choir of men’s voices lifting praises to our Lord in song! The sound of the Restoration Hall men singing Christmas carols in the dorm’s lobby still rings in my ears as I type these words.
The evening generally concluded with a brief devotional message related to Christmas and then a prayer for the dorm residents who were struggling to bring their semester to a conclusion.
As I reflect on those Christmas celebrations in Restoration Hall, I’m reminded that many students were feeling overwhelmed about end-of-the-year assignments and final exams that could result in passing or failing grades. Many also experienced significant stress about returning home to broken families or difficult living situations, while others wondered how they could possibly pay their tuition debts.
Amid all these anxieties, however, as the men of Restoration Hall turned their attention to the Christ child born in Bethlehem, both they and I were soon reminded that Jesus truly is our Prince of Peace.
Richard J. Cherok, PhD, serves as professor of history at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Mo., and as executive director of Celtic Christian Mission.
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