The holiday celebration at the University of Oklahoma Monday celebrated a universal religious symbol: Light.

"It is a symbol of hope," said Charles Kimball, director of OU's religious studies program. As the university celebrated the holidays by lighting a menorah and a Christmas tree, Kimball tied diverse religious traditions together using the symbol of light, which in all religions represents knowledge and wisdom because light dispels darkness.

Kimball addressed a crowd of more than 100 who gathered at OU's David A. Burr Park in near-freezing temperatures as the sun set Monday.

Kimball addressed the crowd from a podium in front of a warmly lit gazebo where the University Chamber Ensemble and The Pride of Oklahoma Holiday Pep Band performed seasonal music. Visitors drank free hot chocolate and apple cider as they listened.

Kimball said when he was invited to speak this year for the first time at the holiday lighting celebration, he began preparing a 45-minute lecture on the meaning of light in world religions. He soon realized, however, that he would share the stage with others and was forced to scale his message down to three minutes.

In addition to Kimball, who is an ordained Baptist minister, the faiths of Judaism and Islam were represented at the celebration by Norman Stillman, professor of Judaic history and program director of Judaic Studies, and Munim Deen, a pre-med microbiology senior, respectively.

In contrast to Kimball's first year at the celebration, Stillman was attending his 12th holiday lighting celebration at OU. Stillman also addressed the commonalities among the holiday celebrations of different faiths, drawing once again upon the symbol of light.

"This is the darkest time of the year in our hemisphere and yet the motif that we turn to is one of light," he said.

Deen spoke about the aspect of holidays that bring people together. He said Muslim holidays focus on faith, family and fellowship. Fellowship is important within one's faith, but especially within the U.S. where there are different religions, it is important among people of different faiths. And the holiday lighting celebration is a good example of that fellowship, Deen said.

"I get to reach out to you and tell you how we celebrate," he said, and he in turn learned how other faiths celebrate.

OU President David Boren also addressed the crowd Monday. During the holiday season, he reminded the audience to think about the really important gift they can give.

"It's the legacy which lasts forever, and that's the gift of kindness, caring, concern and love," Boren said.

The evening's finale was the lighting of the menorah and the OU Christmas tree. Santa Claus arrived shortly after to take photos with children.

Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com