Advent Spiral at Three Fold Utah

When: December 21st 6pm-7pm

Where: Our home, 748 East 7800 South, Midvale (SLC)

THIS IS AN OUTDOOR EVENT.  PLEASE DRESS WARM. We have an outdoor fireplace that will be burning and a space heater closer to the house, but this is outside, please dress warm.  Our patio will shield us from the elements for the most part but pray there is no wind that day or we will have to plan B things (we will have a plan B and that information will be coming as time gets closer - anyone with access to an indoor space please contact me. This will only be an issue if there is a lot of wind, snow will NOT derail us, that will only add to the magic!)

What are we celebrating?  What is the Advent Spiral? Advent Spirals are often held at Waldorf schools.  Erik and I have held a few and I have attended several. These are very magical events when the reverence of the spiral is kept.  For this purpose, we are asking that you evaluate how you feel about the festival before committing to come. We would like all questions answered before hand so that the evening can remain quiet, magical and full of wonder for the children. 

The spiral is a very magical symbol.  Steiner discusses the spiral and many other symbols of the season in his lecture (http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/Christmas/19061217p01.html) - his lectures are a very adult way of very things and not at all what we will be bringing to the children.  I do encourage you to read them, even if you don't agree with everything, it is often food for thought, take what resonates with you, leave the rest.  The focus for the children will be the light that comes in the dark of Winter.  That light is two fold, it is the Sun (with the Solstice) and the Christ child with Christmas.  I often refer to this at the coming of the Sun/Son in our work. Most of us know that Christ wasn't really born at this time of the year, however it is a magical time to celebrate this coming of the two events.  

After Martinmas, that the world begins to darken - thus our lanterns and the lantern walk, the story of the Father Sun giving the spark of the Sun to the child to carry in the lantern through to the birth of the Sun/Son. The spiral is walked in complete reverence and the hope is that the spark of awe that comes from the small lights will be felt by each child and adult present. The spiral is dimly lite when the festival begins, each child (with their parent if they wish) walks quietly along the spiral path to the center and gathers their light (in the form of a small jarred candle) and sets their small light along the path as they leave the spiral - bringing the light of the larger light to the world.  Each child takes their turn.  During this process, there is a song sung and very quiet, reverent voices are all that is welcome at this event.  We want the hushed tones to add to the reverence. This is a perfect opportunity to work on cultivating this reverence with our children. Teens are welcome but only if they are happy to be there, lol we want them to come and feel of the spirit, but they have to be open to it. Often teens need a job to do to keep them in a good place, I am happy to help delegate duties to the teens, just ask. 

Once everyone has walked the spiral, we will give each child a light from the path to take home.  This is a special light that they can burn as the Sun grows stronger.  The next festival (which we plan to hold as well) will be at Candlemas which will be a candle dipping - another reverent welcoming of the light that is growing stronger.  This is part of the Martinmas-Solstice-Candlemas cycle of cultivating the light in the darkness, carrying it through as it maintains, gains new birth and grows strength in the coming months. 

We need RSVPs for this festival - with the preparation it entails, we would like them by the 10-15th of December if possible.  

For those that are volunteering to be committee members, there will be a committee meeting at my home on December 3rd after the Three Fold Monthly Workshop (more information on that comes later today as well.) 

This can be such a magical event for the children.  I am looking forward to putting it together and enjoying each of your families.

Blessings to you.  

Comments

[Trisha Smith]

My heart is so greatful! I miss this in community and am so greatful you are bringing it back. The Common House has hosted indoor events like this. Contact Vickie Wason. Will definately be there and would be happy to help.

[Jenny]

Hullo, I would like to rsvp for this wonderful event. Jennifer Hamilton sent me here....:) We have (2)mommas and 5 kiddos. If you are still in need of help please let me know! - Jenny