Christmas Banquet 2017
Picture a kind of iconic Christmas celebration in your head.
It’s snowy outside but warm within your softly lit house. Heavy coats and scarves damp from the gently falling snow hang by the door, and the fire in its quaint fireplace slowly melts the chill inside you. Christmas lights adorn a decorated evergreen that sits in the corner, presents resting under the tree. A wave of scents comes over you—first the aroma of the tree then highlighted by smells of freshly baked pastries and home cooked food. Noticeable too is the lively chatter of family and friends. Happy expectation wells within you as you anticipate the fun of the next few days.
Now, your Christmas celebrations may be much different than this, but whatever they may be, picture that feeling of excitement and happiness. The festivities are a welcome break from the monotony we get ourselves into. They remind us how amazing life is and causes us to remember how blessed we are. We find out how much we have taken for granted and how blinded by routine we get. There is a new and invigorated appreciation for life.
Joy. That, may be a word that succinctly communicates these feelings collectively. It is the word Kelsey Edmonds—Campus Life Chair on the Executive Council of SGA—declared would be the theme of this year’s Christmas Banquet. To her, Thanksgiving and Christmas time are all about joy. The holidays are a time of gratefulness, laughter, and good will.
Kelsey not only hopes to foster this sort of atmosphere at the Christmas Banquet, but she also hopes that those who attend will bring a little bit of their own joy with them to contribute! Everyone’s input is valuable, and will be essential to promoting the environment that this year’s Christmas Banquet hopes to emphasize.
The location for this year’s Christmas Banquet is The Venue at Friendship Springs. It is a sumptuous venue located in Flowery Branch, Georgia just a little over an hour from TFC. Unlike last year, where there were many opportunities nearby in downtown Athens to explore after the banquet, this year it is a little more remote. But what the Venue at Friendship Springs may lack in location, it completely makes up for in quality, convenience, and character. This exquisitely ornate venue is perfect for this year’s Christmas Banquet.
The flow of the banquet will be relatively similar to last year. There will be food, conversation, and dancing. For those who do not like group styles of dancing, do not fear! This year’s joyful banquet boasts swing dancing as well, diversifying cultural tastes. Also there will be a slideshow continuously running of pictures taken all throughout the semester. Reminisce with friends as you enjoy each other’s company and remember all of the crazy things that happened this semester. This is the last hoorah before the semester ends so take advantage of it!
So for those of you who purchased tickets to this celebration, look forward to it! Remember to come equipped with your best Christmas spirit to share. It will be a fun time of fellowship as we enjoy each other’s company and remember how much God has blessed us. Let this banquet propel you into the Christmas season as you foster a thankful and joyful heart.
The address for the venue is 7340 Friendship Springs Blvd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542; however, the road where the venue is located is so new that some GPS systems do not pick it up. If you are struggling it is behind the Publix at the intersection of Spout Springs Rd. and Friendship Rd. Find your way there Saturday, December 2nd!