St. John's Socialite: InterVarsity's 'Simply CHRISTmas' Coffeehouse

On Thursday, December 1st, from 6-8pm, St. John's InterVarsity Christian Fellowship hosted its 'Simply CHRISTmas' Coffeehouse in Marillac Terrace. My fellow InterVarsity members and I had been looking forward to this event for quite some time, as it would be a place for us to celebrate and share our favorite holiday of the year with each other and the rest of the campus.

Truly an answer to our prayers, the night turned out to be a great success, with over 150 people attending the event. There were plenty of yummy treats for guests to enjoy thanks to donations from Lulu's bakery and Starbucks. We were also treated to a very engaging message about Christmas by Pastor Tom Richter, who preaches at the local New Hope Christian Church. Following Pastor Tom's message, joyful music filled the room with various student performances, which included some jazzy tunes by 'Syncopated Butta,' a music group made of members of St. John's Pep Band; familiar Christmas carols sung by an expanded caroling choir of InterVarsity students; praise songs performed by members of the InterVarsity worship team; and an original rap performed by InterVarsity member Stephen Samaroo (a.k.a the "Christ Promota"). In the midst of all this music, students got to enjoy each other's company while decorating Christmas cookies, making festive crafts, and learning about InterVarsity and the joy and hope we have in the Christmas story and Jesus that we constantly desire to share with our campus.

As my first InterVarsity Christmas Coffeehouse (it's a yearly event), I have to say it was better than I could ever have imagined - especially getting to share it with so many amazing people I feel so blessed and grateful to God that He had me meet in my first semester at St. John's. It really was a wonderful beginning to a Christmas season filled with blessings only Jesus could bring!