Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series examining religion’s role in student life.

For students from Christian families, the stress doesn’t end after finals. The preparation and tension builds to a crescendo until Christmas Day, when all of the planning, shopping and cooking is over and the celebration begins.

But, it’s 21 days until Christmas, and students still have finals on their brains. On-campus Christian organizations intend to help their members through demanding times by offering a peaceful atmosphere to focus on their studies and faith.

“We have 24-hour quiet study here,” said Lisa Weidner, a senior elementary education major and co-leader of the student ministries team at the Newman Catholic Student Center. “So we have a lot more students coming around the Newman Center during Christmas season … We have extra meals served here that are free for the students. Most of us spend our entire finals week here before we leave for Christmas.”

Some students, such as Christy Nobrega, a preventative and rehabilitative exercise science major, think campus churches have an inviting atmosphere.

“I’m fond of the Newman Center because it’s cozier,” Nobrega said, “but for big ceremonies and stuff, I like going to the big churches.”

Nobrega, like many other NIU students, goes home to find those larger services. Churches serving the student community see far fewer students around Christmas because school is not in session.

Marty Marks, pastor at the Immanuel Lutheran Church and Student Center, said the student population does not entirely migrate away from DeKalb, though.

“Many of the students go home, but there are some that still live here and stay in the area,” he said. “A good handful of students will worship with us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.”

Marks said the church’s presence on campus, especially during the holidays, awakens many students’ feelings for family tradition.

“They may or may not acknowledge God,” he said, “they may or may not acknowledge Christian values, but they say, ‘it’s important for our family to gather together, and it’s part of our family tradition.’ “

Though students may not play a major role in the Christmas celebrations at local churches, services are held for students who are still in town as well as for the community members that worship here.

“We have a very large community population as well as student population,” Weidner said of the Newman Center.