Retreat to Prepare for Advent

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. 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.

The darkness of winter 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 Today:

1. Retreat Day
2. Read "Perspective"
3. Journal Queries

4. Space clearing

5. Make an Advent Wreath

1. Retreat Day:

Thesis a much needed day alone, and I plan to spend it like a retreat. A retreat (even a short one) needs some definition or it is just a vacation: My theme today is grace, perspective and clarity.  

The most important components of a retreat to arrange are solitude, silence, and simplicity. I will do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action.

2. Read "Perspective":

Today I am reading this new book by Meridith Elliot Powell, subtitled Reignite, Reinvent, Reframe (2025). This is the work I am dedicating myself to this advent - the Grace of keeping a positive and broad perspective, because when I open my heart to the grace and transformation of the season, and my connection to the universal Spirit, I honor All of Creation.  

The introduction says, "Perspective is like a switchboard -- get it right, and it can positively and dramatically impact your energy, beliefs, actions, and results." One way to "get it right" is to clarify your purpose: When you understand why you are doing something, it helps you to shift your belief that you can do it. Purpose shifts your perspective.

Perspective is all about taking back control of your life, by focusing on how you frame it.

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.

Grace Notes: Today I want to re-focus and refine each of my advent themes, with a perspective that is positive and compassionate:

1. The Earth: Creating sanctuary for nature because nature is our sanctuary.
2. All the People: Accepting that we are part of nature and deserving of care and peace. 
3. Our Family: Remembering that gentle, loving time together is the best gift. 
4. God: Remembering that my guiding Light is very bright!

4. Space clearing:

Space clearing is a satisfying way to prepare for what might come at advent.  Today I will put away all the fall decorations - dried corn, Thanksgiving tree, 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. I have kept putting this off, so today I will take a long walk to search for greens.

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.