I have many tasks to do at this time of year, but my most important task is to get in touch with my heart. This is a time of emotional complexity, with all of the expectations and challenges of family and relationships. So, my heart is a bit tender, and perhaps a bit armored.
Today I open to the expectation of love. When my heart is open to love, my hands are open to accept unexpected gifts, and my ears are open to hear a message of peace, then I am ready to begin Advent.
Agenda:
1. Open-Heart Meditation:
Sit still, put a hand on my heart, and feel my heartbeat. Let that feeling resonate out to the rest of my ribcage, to the peripheries of my body, through my spine, my arms and legs. Feel my heart expand with each in breath, and open a bit with each exhalation.2. Journal:
List the themes and values I want to dedicate this season to, so I can celebrate intentionally, and with greater meaning.
From my journal: My traditional themes at advent are care for the earth, unity with all people, love for friends and family, and openness to the Light of God. This year I want to especially find ways to be in unity with those who are suffering with war and homelessness.
3. Space clearing:
Clear off shelves and counters, dust, and make space for later decorating.
4. Simplify & slow down:
Clear space in my life as well, to make time for the peace of the season. Plan time for morning meditations, and plenty of time for peaceful gift-making and card-writing.
5. Gift List:
Brainstorm and begin to plan the gifts I will make and buy for others.
6. Make an Advent Wreath:
The advent wreath custom began in Germany in the 1600’s, but the symbols of the advent wreath are powerful and ancient.
- The wreath reminds us that the year is round and whole, and that we are all a part of the never-ending circle of life.
- The evergreens symbolize eternal life and remind us that we will make it through the cold of winter.
- The candles represent the light inside that will guide us even on the darkest nights.
I have seen many creative ideas for making advent wreaths. The only requirement, in my mind, is that it is round, that it has some evergreens, and that it has four candles in safe candle holders, for the four weeks of advent.
Supplies:
- evergreens
- clippers
- wire wreath form
- 4 candle holders
- 4 candles
1. Collect greens. This year I found some fresh Douglas fir branches at the park, and then clipped a few branches from my pine tree.2. I made a base many, many years ago, by cutting a donut shape from a piece of plywood, gluing 4 candle holders onto it, and mounting a simple wire wreath form around them. I added some white chains so I can hang it if I want.
3. Now all I need to do each year is cut up my evergreens and stick them into place.
I put a few large branches on the bottom, then fill in around, and pinch the wires of the frame together to hold everything in place.
4. Add four new candles, and it's all ready.
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