Advent Spiral

Tonight we had the most amazing gathering with our Waldorf home schooling friends to celebrate Advent. It was once again hostessed by my friend Lucy at her beautiful home. We started with a delicious pot luck with all kinds of wonderful food to eat. Then, we went into the front room where Lucy told a sweet winter story to all the kids about a boy looking for beeswax to make candles for the winter. In the story she incorporated Chanukah, Kwanza and Christmas and we honored and sang songs from each faith. We then sang a song called "Miracle of Light" that goes like this:
The days are grower darker
The nights are blowing cold
But deep within a miracle
Of light waits to unfold

A simple candle flicker
Becomes a flame of gold
To warm the heart and soul of man
For ages yet untold









We then went outside where Lucy, her husband and Claudia had prepared a beautiful spiral for the kids to walk. The spiral was made from the greenery of pine trees. It was completely dark except in the center was a big lit candle. A child would be given an apple with a candle inside and then walk the spiral to the center. Once in the center, a child would light their candle and then walk out of the spiral. On their way out, they would place their apple candle on one of the various stars that had been placed around the spiral. By the time several children had had their turn, the path was glowing with candlelight and it was very beautiful! Throughout the walking of the spiral, there was a sweet reverence while each child took their turn. It was also nice that David played beautiful music the whole time. (What Child is this, Joy to the World, The Chanukah Song)

This was my first Advent spiral. I loved watching Bella and Olivia do it. I was lucky because I got to take Ceci through. I held her, helped her light her candle and place it. It was very special to be able to do it.

Here is some info on the spiral that my friend gave me on Advent, spirals, and the symbolism:

Advent is the four weeks starting after Thanksgiving until Christmas. It is the time before the "event" of the birth of the Jesus Child. As Advent begins we celebrate a point in time when the darker and shorter days become illuminated more brightly by an inner light of the soul symbolized by candlelight. During the days of Advent the candlelight offers a mood, an environment of love, joy and inner strength which we can celebrate in various ways.

Spiral: a symbol of incarnation, the path of birth. The moving spiral or vortex has tremendous power and formative energy.
Candle: represents the flame of the human spirit which is a light in the body; that which is eternal in everyone. It only takes one burning candle to dispel the darkness.
red apple: in its color represents the blood, and the forces of will in man. The apple symbolizes the house or body of man. Therefore the candle placed in the red apple symbolizes the light of the spirit in the house of the body.
garden of evergreens: symbolizes life itself.

So the Advent Garden is for children and adults an experience of the eternal inner light which shines its brightest on Christmas morning. Advent is a time of inwardness. It takes us into the 'inner place of the soul' where in our 'quiet room' we can become aware of the eternal light which lighteth all mankind.

After the spiral, we went inside to get warm because it was blowing cold out there! We drank delicious Chai tea and enjoyed cookies. It was such a nice night! I can't thank my friends enough for including us.