Although the end of the semester can be a stressful time for students as exams quickly approach, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: the holiday season. On Saturday, Dec. 3, senior students gathered for the second Alfond Apartments’ “lock-in.” The senior class council provided several kegs for the event, and attendees were encouraged to dress in their ugly-sweater holiday best.

The inhabitants of one of the apartments used as a venue for the lock-in, Apartment 148, have really embraced the upcoming holiday season. Seniors Dennis Gallagher’12, Taro Funabashi ’12, Sam Helm ’12, Keith Lyons ’12, Rich Poirier ’12 and Mike Wismer ’12 have adorned their apartment with holiday lights, Christmas stockings and even their own Christmas tree, decorated fully with lights and candy canes.

“Christmas is our favorite holiday, obviously. We love lights, Jesus and presents under the tree, so we had to decorate,” Poirier said of the apartment’s decor.

Other events on campus have been spreading the holiday cheer. Earlier on Saturday the Student Programming Board provided a bus to Freeport from Eustis so students could get a head start on their holiday shopping in the outlets that fill Freeport.

The College’s religious and spiritual groups will also be commemorating the season during the next week and a half in order to ease the study pains and keep the holiday spirit alive. Here’s a list of events to look forward to.

Colby Christian Fellowship (CCF): CCF will be hosting a holiday party for students. “While this party will serve as a fun event, we will also be remembering the birth and death of Christ, our savior,” CCF Leader Karen Abbas ’12 said. “Many in CCF also participate in and/or attend the Carols and Lights program that Colby holds every year,” Abbas added. The 42nd Annual Service of Carols and Lights will be held in Lorimer Chapel on Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 10, at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Colby Muslim Group: This year, Ashura falls on Dec 5. Shi’a Muslims observe Ashura to mourn the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammed and the third Shi’a Imam, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. They observe this occasion by performing certain rituals such as flagellation (called Talwar zani). Sunni Muslims (who do not believe that Husayn was the third Imam) commemorate Ashura as the day that God freed the Israelites from slavery by allowing Moses to part the Red Sea. According to Sunni tradition, Muhammed fasted on this day to express his gratitude to God. President of Colby Muslim Group Khaled Wardak ’13 is a Sunni Muslim and plans to fast on Ashura. He will also lead a discussion about the significance of the day in Islam.

Hillel: Chanukah does not begin until Dec. 20, at which point we will all be on break. So unfortunately, that means that Hillel will not be sponsoring the Chanukah Dinner in Foss that we have all come to love. However, Hillel will be holding a candle lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 9. Stay tuned for a potential study break during finals week as well. Let’s hope they serve latkes!

It may not seem like it here on the Hill with a surprising lack of snow, but the holiday season has arrived, and be sure to celebrate despite the looming exams.