Day Before Advent

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. It's a short advent this year because Christmas is on Monday. 

Advent is a time of expectant waiting, and today I will actively prepare to wait. I will get my house and my heart ready for this complicated winter season of holidays.

This dark season puts limits on our lives. Chinese philosophy says winter is a time of conservation and storage; the night, the feminine, water, and cold is dominant. We slow down, go inward, and spend more time on quiet, yin activities.

Luckily, advent is four weeks long, allowing us to grow slowly and steadily towards the light: Let yourself go inward now - be like the bear in her cave, saving your strength and relishing the darkness. Don't celebrate Christmas too soon; allow yourself to experience the darkness of winter, against which it shines.

Agenda:

1. Open-Heart Meditation

2. Read "The Simpler Life"

3. Journal queries

4. Space clearing

5. Make an Advent Wreath

1. Open-Heart Meditation:
I have many tasks to do at advent, but my most important task is to calm my heart. This season is a time of emotional complexity, with all of the expectations and challenges of family and friend relationships. So, my heart is a bit tender.

Today I open to the anticipation of love: When my heart is open to love, and 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.

Sit still, put a hand on my heart, and feel my heartbeat. Feel my heart expand with each in-breath, and open and relax a bit with each exhalation. Let that open-hearted feeling resonate out to the rest of my ribcage, through my spine, my arms and legs, and upwards to my head. Carry this open-hearted feeling with me throughout my day. 

2. Read "The Simpler Life":

This month I'm reviewing this pretty little book by Deborah DeFord (1998). The subtitle is "An Inspirational Guide to Living Better with Less".

I'm on Chapter 3: Simply Together. She begins by saying that togetherness is important but also "creates some of the knottiest complexities of our daily lives"; the challenge is how to keep our relationships simple. And the process of simplifying our relationships makes them more delicious and meaningful.

Begin with a self-assessment: Consider my style (reflective introvert), and the state of my relationships. How do I relate to people, and what do I most value about other people? Which are my most supportive and most problematic relationships?

Prepare for changes: I'm not looking to make any big relationship changes, but the advice to "have a heart" is always useful. She reminds me that some people might be hurt if they feel that I am pulling away, and I should be sure to communicate my needs and intentions.

She goes on to talk about re-inventing family life, friendships, and community involvement.

3. Journal queries:
How can I prepare for the unknowable grace of this advent?
How can I slow down enough to practice expectant waiting all day long?

How can I protect my tender heart while still being a loving, social being? How can I prepare for the social anxiety I feel at all social gatherings?

List the themes and values I want to dedicate this season to, so I can celebrate intentionally, and with greater meaning.

From my journal: This advent I feel pretty prepared in spirit. I've taken some steps to simplify my work schedule, and clarify my priorities; I'm praying the Hours in a simple way that fits into my life, and helps me to stay grounded: Not every moment is good, but LIFE is good, when I pay attention. 

My themes are set: The Earth, the People, my family, and God. I've got lots of fun projects to share with my grandsons, but mostly I want to share a calm and loving grandma!

4. Space clearing:

Space clearing is a satisfying way to prepare for what might come at advent. I've got lots of clutter in my living spaces, and it all needs to go away! This week I've been slowly putting away all the fall decorations - dried corn and other knick-knacks, to create a little emptiness that can be filled later, little by little, with the gifts and symbols of the advent season.

5. 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 inner light that will guide us even in the darkest times. 

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 
• wood base and chains (optional) 
• 4 candle holders 
• 4 candles

1. Collect greens. This year I found a large Doug Fir branch at the park, and a fresh Noble fir branch in the alley.

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.