Advent Spiral

On Friday, the 14th, we had our Advent Spiral with our homeschool group. This is not a picture from our spiral, but I wanted to add a photo for those who have never seen one before.

It was really beautiful. The children carried their candles, placed inside real apples used for candle holders, into the spiral. They entered the spiral of evergreen branches one at a time and each lit their candle from a pillar candle that set on a tree stump in the middle of the spiral. Then, each child placed their candle on a gold star that they had made, until the spiral glowed magically. This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful festival that Waldorf schools celebrate. Our children walked in silence, the only sound coming from a pentatonic glockenspiel that another mother played softly. Truly a beautiful afternoon!

Deep mid-winter drawing near,
Darkness in our garden, here -
One small flame yet bravely burns
To show a path which ever turns.

Earth, please bear us as we go,
Seeking light to send aglow:
Branches green and moss and fern,
Mark our path to trace each turn.

We walk with candle toward the light
While Earth awaits with hope so bright:
In the light which finds new birth
Love may spread o'er all the Earth.

Deep mid-winter drawing near -
May light arise in our garden here.