First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent!

ad•vent (ad’ vent) n. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important.

The advent season is a time of expectant waiting. We look forward with excitement to the celebration of Christmas; we wait for the return of longer days after the solstice; and we anticipate the arrival of grace in our hearts.

Grace is a state of being - at peace, free, filled with love & light.

I'll fill the next weeks with decorating, baking, buying gifts, and singing songs... but enfolding the busyness is the simple, deep peace and love of advent. I wait, anticipate, and learn again that transformation is a slow process.

Agenda today:
1. Advent prayer

2. Grace notes
3. Plan activities to express my unity with nature

5. Set intentions
4. Advent wreath ceremony

1. Advent Prayer:

Photo by Alan Gillespie

May all I say and all I think 

be in harmony with thee, 

God within me, 

God beyond me, 

maker of the trees.

— Chinook prayer, Pacific Northwest Coast

2. Grace notes:
The Greek Bible uses the Greek word charis, which is translated as grace, kindness, favor, or blessing. It means "unmerited favor". My charisma is the gift I got at birth, freely given me. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 describes some of the gifts (charismata) that God gives us - wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy, discernment, the ability to heal or work miracles - and makes it clear that we do not all receive the same gifts in the same abundance.

My particular set of gifts includes discernment, tenacity, joy in learning, and a loving heart. These are the gifts I have, freely given me and freely offered back to the world.

Advent is a time set aside each year to come into contact with my own need for grace. This year I am taking time most mornings for an Open-Heart meditation , and recording the grace I am receiving. I ask:

Where in my life do I need greater peace, love, and light?

What am I waiting for this advent? 

What are whispers, nudges, or clarity am I receiving? 

How can I use my gifts this month to serve my family, my community, and the Earth? 

The more I carry these questions within, and let them penetrate through the layers of distraction and self-protection, the more powerfully I will experience Advent.

3. Plan activities to express my unity with nature:

My theme for this first week of advent is to cherish and care for the earth. When my kids were young, we did earth activities together all of this week. Now I continue the tradition with my grandson.

My goal this week is to reaffirm my unity with nature. Generally, I do this by giving attention to nature, and by remembering to find joy and fulfillment in simply being alive, instead of in an excess of buying, using, and wasting.

Things I might do this week to express unity with nature:

• Spend time outdoors to get in touch with the season. Walk and bike to get places. Visit a wild area. Rake leaves, or turn the compost.
• Pay attention to the weather, the outdoor temperature, the birds, the sky, the leaves, the moon cycle.
• Learn more about the wildlife that lives in our area in the winter; find out what they eat. Learn the names of the trees in the neighborhood. Learn the names of the clouds.
• Give care to the plants and animals. Feed the wild birds. Give special attention to our ducks and dog.
• Bring nature indoors- collect greens, pine cones, straw, and other natural materials. Use natural materials to make gifts and decorations.
• Think about the lifestyle choices I make that are harmful to the earth and it's creatures, and commit to living more sustainably.

4. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for December, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I've written just two intentions, the ones I might act on today, and will write more later.

I intend to give extra attention to the earth (which sustains us), and how I can cherish and care for it; specifically I will read some shinto meditations, take daily plastic collection walks, make bird cones and other nature projects with my grandsons, donate to earthcare groups, and plant more native plants in our garden, because because finding unity and connection with Creation will bring vitality, peace, and purpose to my climate justice work, my artwork, and my writing.

I intend take time for open-heart meditations and listening to the nudges and whispers from Spirit, and celebrate Advent with attention on Unity, Love, Equanimity, and Grace, because these are principles that sustain me, carry me through all the stresses, and open my heart to the transformation of the season.

5. Advent wreath ceremony:
When my kids were young, I wrote four short advent prayers - one for each week - to recite together as we lit the candles. The prayers hold themes that are still meaningful for us, and we have used them ever since. This year I get to include my two grandsons in the candle ceremony! 

Today, when my family came for lunch, we lit the first advent candle (the green one, for the earth), and said this prayer:

“We light the first candle for the earth, which sustains us. May we cherish and care for it.”

Each night this week, we will let this first candle burn while the kids prepare to return home, and while we eat dinner.