Day before Advent

Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of expectant waiting, and today I will actively prepare to wait. 

I have many tasks to do now, but my most important task is to calm my heart. Advent 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, 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.

Agenda:
1. Open-Heart Meditation
2. Journal queries
3. Space clearing
4. Simplify & slow down
5. Make an Advent Wreath

1. Open-Heart Meditation:
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. 

2. Journal queries:
How can I prepare for the changes advent brings? 
How can I slow down enough to practice expectant waiting in specific situations during my day?

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 feel a deepening of desire to take action. I want to especially find ways to be in unity with those who are suffering from homelessness, hunger, and fear. I ask "How can I be of service?"


3. Space clearing:
Space clearing is another 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.

Today I will put away all the fall decorations- dried corn and other knick-knacks, and create a little emptiness that can be filled later, little by little, with the gifts and symbols of the advent season.

4. Simplify & slow down:
I will clear space in my life as well, to make time for the peace I want at advent. I will schedule a longer space for morning meditations, and plenty of time for peaceful gift-making and card-writing.

This year I plan to be more active in the world than normal for me. This is no time for us to be dormant or quiet! I might need to set aside some of my usual holiday activities so that I can be of service to the spirit of advent in other ways.

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

1. Collect greens. This year I found some fresh Douglas fir branches and some cedar 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.