Nature's life forces have withdrawn into the depths, and day by day the sunlight decreases as we approach the winter solstice. If we are to find light and warmth now, we must find it within ourselves and within our communities. The tradition of the Advent Garden has evolved to present a visual picture of the inner journey that the soul must make at this time of year.
Candle made by Peanut in preschool last week
Sunday night we celebrated Advent at Peanut's preschool with a beautiful Advent Garden. A spiral path was created on the floor made from pine and balsam branches, pine cones and candles. Tiny lights and white silks decorated large branches of a birch tree propped against the walls. A tree stump was in the center of the spiral. When the guitarist began playing a young girl, wearing all white and angel wings slowly walked the spiral carrying a single candle. She sat on the tree stump and waited there peacefully as each child had a turn to enter the spiral, walk towards her, and had their candle lit by hers. All was done silently except for the music. It was quite an emotional ceremony to watch as my boy participated.
Today we are trying to hold on to that feeling of light and warmth as it's been all snow...
...and ice here
where we live.
I wish you warmth and light where ever you are.
Wow! It looks magical, beautiful, and VERY cold :)
Posted by: Amy | December 04, 2007 at 05:06 PM
Oh I would have cried little icicles to see that ceremony.
Posted by: bethany | December 04, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Does your daughter attend Waldorf School? My 3rd grade daughter's advent spiral was on sunday night. It was lovely, and one of the older students played the harp the whole time.
Posted by: Jennifer Noland | December 04, 2007 at 11:51 PM
Does your daughter attend Waldorf School? My 3rd grade daughter's advent spiral was on sunday night. It was lovely, and one of the older students played the harp the whole time.
Posted by: Jennifer Noland | December 04, 2007 at 11:56 PM
beautiful!
Posted by: Mimi K | December 05, 2007 at 07:03 AM
I just read another blog about the spiral ceremony. It sounds beautiful.
Posted by: kirsten | December 05, 2007 at 08:56 AM
That is just so sweetly written, love that the warmth has to come from inside this time of year, sooo true where I live too! :-)
Peanuts candle is just adorable, lovley!
Posted by: Hanna | December 05, 2007 at 09:12 AM
What a beautiful photos!
Posted by: corry | December 05, 2007 at 12:28 PM
That sounds beautiful - we are focusing on Hope in the advent tradidion in our church.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Posted by: teresa (maggiegracecreates) | December 05, 2007 at 04:13 PM
I love when the ice fans out like that but only from the inside looking out. I'm seeing so many Advent ceremonies all around blogland. It is a lovely tradition.
Posted by: Vallen Queen | December 05, 2007 at 04:26 PM
I loved the Advent Spiral. Beautiful. As beautiful as your post - words and photos.
Posted by: Sonya | December 06, 2007 at 01:47 AM