Columbia students faced the cold weather on Thursday to attend the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Columbia College Student Council invited students to congregate on College Walk and join the Columbia Deans in welcoming the winter season but, more importantly, to take advantage of the free hot chocolate, warm cider, roasted nuts, and Columbia scarves.

"We're going to wait on the scarves, for sure."

"[I hope students] realize that their student fees do go somewhere because campus life pays for this. People think that Student Council doesn't pay for anything in this school, but this is nice."

A popular fable credits the invention of Christmas lights to 16th-century reformer Martin Luther who, walking home one evening, was so charmed by the stars and the evergreens that he placed a tree with wired lighted candles in his home. Though the story may be a myth, the beauty it describes is real.

"I don't think we have many traditions, but the lights turning on is kind of beautiful; I like it."

"The trees, the lights, the singing. I remember freshman year I kind of hated Columbia but this event would be really happy, and now I realize Columbia makes me happy. So I feel like it's really good for all those people who are like, 'This place is apathetic and soulless,' and we're like, 'Look, we love you guys!'"

"This is a wonderful tradition for Columbia to celebrate. People come together - whatever their religious beliefs, their cultural convictions - to celebrate the Columbia lighting of the trees"

The tree lighting ceremony may be a simple celebration, but as the 3,000 people who RSVP'ed on Facebook can attest, this event lights up the hearts of the community.

"It's always a good way to get out of Butler and get ready for the holidays. And also, the campus looks beautiful when it is all lit up."

"I've never really celebrated Christmas before, so all the tree lightings, I'm excited for that."

"One of the great things about this time of year is that we take those trees - newly bare, gray and brown - and we're going to turn them into towers and cones of light, to help light up the walkways of Columbia's campus."