By Jennifer Deigan,
Staff Writer

The 30th annual Crib Ceremony was celebrated this year on Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in the Oratory on the third floor of the administration building. It was prepared by the freshman class and was open to the entire Seton Hill University (SHU) community.

SISTER MARY JANET RYAN APPROACHED THE NATIVITY SCENE THAT THE FRESHMEN CLASS HAD PUT TOGETHER DURING THE CRIB CEREMONY ON NOVEMBER 30, 2004 The Oratory will be available to all members of SHU as a prayer space during the advent season. The SHU Maintenance Department set up the manger scene before the ceremony, according to Amanda Gallagher, freshmen class president. The ceremony started out with an opening prayer.

“I thought that it turned out fantastically considering that 21 hours ago we had nothing, and we pulled it all together. I could never have done it without the help of Andrea [Perkins] and Megan [Ritter],” said Gallagher.

Several students read various gospel readings and the group sang Christmas carols such as “O come, O Come, Emanuel” and “Silent Night.”

During the ceremony, students set up the nativity scene while lighting candles. It was followed by a reception provided by the Westmoreland Alumni Association.
Janette Kristich, freshman class secretary, read the first reading, and later in the ceremony, presented the baby Jesus in the manger scene. “I thought it [the ceremony] was very serene and peaceful and a very humble way to begin the holiday season,” said Kristich.

THE NATIVITY SCENE PUT TOGETHER DURING THE CRIB CEREMONY WAS A "VERY HUMBLE WAY TO BEGIN THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Tracy Flaherty, freshman, presented Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds in the scene. “It was a pleasant [ceremony], but my family usually doesn’t put Jesus up until the day of Christmas. I just find that awkward because he’s not born yet,” said Flaherty.

Andrea Brodbeck, freshman, presented two shepherds in the manger scene. “I thought that it was a very nice idea. It was a really nice ceremony, and it was nice to bring the whole Seton Hill community together to reflect on the whole Christmas season,” said Brodbeck.

The tradition was started by the Class of 1978, when they were freshmen in 1974.
“They [the freshmen] can do whatever they want, as long as the ceremony is centered around Christmas, the coming of Christ, and the manger scene,” said Cindy Boland, head of Campus Ministry and freshman class advisor. This year’s Crib Ceremony was organized by the freshmen class officers and other freshmen who wished to contribute. This year’s ceremony contained a prelude and the lighting of candles, which differed from previous years.

The music to Christmas carols such as “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” which was provided by Gary Coleman, Eric Yagoda, and Natasha Hill, all freshmen.

Danielle Schrock, freshman, passed out the programs and candles to everyone and lit two candles during the ceremony.

“I was very impressed with how many freshmen were involved, especially with the brand new setting. It was well-planned and excellent. Christmas can get so overcome with commercial and it’s wonderful to have a spiritual beginning like that. I think that it’s appropriate that freshmen... get Christmas going for us at Seton Hill, and that they use their talents, the musicians and speakers, and the others involved. It’s special. It’s in the true spirit of Christmas,” said Sr. Ann Infanger, biology professor.

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