December 2008

On December 1, I woke up and began to think about the month and all of the demands on my time. I became a bit of a Scroogist. It was a Monday, of course! As I sat down with a cup of coffee to begin to reflect on the day and my soul, I had this impression that my attitude was warped. I’m too busy, I thought, and the work is so heavy that maybe I’ll defer thinking about Christmas until life slows down. Next year? As I did, the voice of God reminded me that celebrating his Son and the gift of family I have was not a time management issue. It is a lifestyle issue.

I got up, turned on Christmas music before anyone awoke, and resolved that I would not let my to-do list interfere with my soul’s desire to rejoice in the Christ of Christmas and the love of my family. That night I came home from Biola and hauled the family off to buy our Christmas tree, a task Paula usually has to prompt me to do. I beat her to the punch! So off we went to that quaint Christmas tree nursery not far from our house: Target. We spent a night that week putting on the ornaments we collected over the years, reflecting through the stories as we did. The Twin Tower ornament someone gave us memorializing 9-11. The Red Sox World Series ornament. The one with Ella’s Bible class photo when she was five. The few ornaments Paula and I bought when she was in China and I in Bangladesh the year before we married. We even have one of Sammy Sosa, the Cubs slugger, even though we’re not from Chicago. We had a wonderful night together as I resolved to not miss one moment of Christmas joy.

December is here, and I thank God for it. This year, I’m going to milk it for all I can. And this is not just at home but also at Biola. We are off to a wonderful start, and I truly believe even the economic strains will be times we can rejoice in, sooner or later. For I truly believe that in the midst of the national economic strains, this time for us can become our finest hour as we position Biola for long-term leadership as a Christ-centered university, as we focus our energies and resources on the core areas of our strength and as we trust in a generous God for His help through challenging times.

While we have been faced with the troubling economic news from a national and global perspective, Biola remains on solid footing. We carefully continue planning for next year as we continue to monitor the effects it is having upon the students and families we serve. All colleges are affected to one degree or another, and that includes Biola. You have been very sensitive to the impact upon our community and I appreciate what you are doing in your respected areas to be stewards of God’s resources to Biola.

As you know, I commissioned a team in November, the Student Economic Crisis Response Council, made up of representatives from across campus, to find creative ways to assist those students who face imminent economic crisis affecting their ongoing enrollment. Through the council's planning, one opportunity has been developed called the Student Emergency Relief Fund. It has been established with a goal and purpose to assist students facing serious financial challenges as a direct result of the current economic crisis. If you would like to assist these students who deeply want to continue studying at Biola, please visit www.biola.edu/studentrelief and learn of a new opportunity to help Biola students at this time.

I shared my thoughts on Biola's approach to the economic crisis in chapel today, December 5, for students, faculty and staff as well as those parents watching "live" on our Web site. At a student forum on December 9, I will have an opportunity to hold a discussion with students on how we care and will plan carefully with them in mind, to listen to their concerns and discuss how Biola might be able to respond. I ask that you pray for our students facing serious challenges.

Rewinding a bit, in mid-November, we saw the wildfires blaze through Southern California. Though Biola was not threatened, nearby communities were devastated. The Biola community quickly responded by partnering with The Red Cross and collected clothing and non-perishable foods for victims of the fires.

Unfortunately, Westmont College, our sister Christian college in the hills above Santa Barbara, was in the path of a fire in Montecito. Several structures were destroyed, but thankfully no one was injured. Biola’s community once again reached out to lend aid, prayer and support. I am so grateful for Biola’s responsiveness in times of crisis. I have seen similar expressions of support for Westmont by other colleges as well.

Dr. Corey and Paula met with a group of Biola alumni for dinner in Hong Kong in November.

During this time, Paula and I were in Asia visiting with Christian university leaders in Indonesia. We met with alumni and special Biola friends in Hong Kong. The visit gave us the opportunity to gather with alumni and to introduce Biola to new friends, supporters and prospective students. I am thankful for Biola’s strong relationships with so many throughout Asia. This has been such an important region for our relationships, nurtured over the years by Dr. Cook and many others from among our faculty.

At the end of the month, Paula, the children and I also took a road trip across the desert to Arizona to celebrate Thanksgiving as well as Paula’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Their marriage is a wonderful testimony of commitment and love for Paula and me. It was good to stop and give thanks for God’s providence.

Dr. Corey and Paula carved turkey for students during the Cafe's special Thanksgiving dinner.

Now we’re into December and this month is filled with Christmas activities. First, we held a Christmas luncheon for over 700 from our faculty and staff as we gathered to thank the Lord for His faithfulness to Biola, to celebrate His birth and to honor the diligent work of Biola employees at the Christmas luncheon, "A Neighborhood Christmas." I had a great time, despite my flawed impersonation of Mr. Rogers! It was good to learn the history of Biola’s 50th anniversary in La Mirada from professor Dave Peters and to have the city's mayor, Hal Malkin, join us.

I look forward to the lighting the Biola Christmas tree at the annual Alumni Relations Christmas tree lighting tonight, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. This event draws thousands together to enjoy holiday treats and sing our favorite Christmas carols.

It is also a time of celebration for December graduates on December 19. Lee Strobel will be here to be our 2008 December Commencement speaker. Graduates, I pray the Lord blesses and guides your path and that you use your Biola education to honor and serve Him throughout your life.

This Christmas we will be with our family, with my sister and her husband and two sons joining us from Charlotte. My mother will also spend two months with us this winter, escaping the raw chill of New England. I thank God for a family that loves to be together and loves the Christ who binds us together.

As we become consumed with the busyness of December, let us not forget the true reason we celebrate. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel which is translated, ‘God with us,’” reads Matthew 1:23. And indeed, God is with us.

Four student carolers led employees in singing Christmas carols together.

Merry Christmas, Biola. I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful community of grace. Please enjoy the Christmas break to reflect upon our Savior, to catch up on much needed rest, and to connect with families and friends. I look forward to seeing you next year!

Blessings to you.

In Christ,

Barry H. Corey