Advent Oneness

My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world".

One way I love to do that is by learning about the traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world. This week I decided to learn more about the advent customs in Italy.

Agenda:
1- Research and plan
2- Make cucidati (Italian fig cookies)
3- Make creche figures

St. Nicholas Day Kindness

Today is St. Nicholas Day.
My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world". One way I do that is to try to be in harmony with the people I interact with (especially those who irritate me), and one way I do that is to work at being a kinder person. 

St. Nicholas Day is a perfect time to think about kindness, and ways to be kinder. Kindness is simple, honest, peaceful, and joyful, and it leads to generosity, patience, integrity, and unity. When I commit to being kind, I give my life greater meaning and depth. This week I intend to-

• Practice holding my tongue (including inside-my-head-talk); less snapping at people!
• Try to follow through with any strong, generous impulse that comes into my heart- if it is mostly reasonable.
• When I am impatient, cruel, or clumsy, just take a breathe, accept myself as I am, apologize, and gather my resolve to begin again.

Agenda Today:
1. Advent Prayer
2. Kindness meditation
3. Random Acts of Kindness
4. Make sparkly candle holders

St. Nicholas Eve

Tonight is the eve of St. Nicholas Day. Nicholas was born in Lycia, which is now part of Turkey. Legend says he was a kind and generous man, who protected the poor and did many great deeds.

In Holland St. Nicholas is called Sinter Klaas (he is the original Santa Claus). Children in Holland leave their shoes by the fireplace on this night, and in the morning they are filled with marzipan and small toys. Also, Sinter Claus often leaves larger gifts tonight or during the next day. 

Toys for Tots

Agenda today:
1. Joy of Giving meditation
2. Journal queries
3. Donate a toy to Toys for Tots
4. Make pfeffernüsse
5. Fill shoes

Create Peace and Unity

My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world".

It's always my intention to work to create the conditions of peace - justice, equality, and freedom- in my family and community, but last year it began to feel imperative; so important that I was moved to action! I got involved in small ways - going to rallies, helping to serve food to the homeless, and staying more informed.

This week I challenge myself to get clearer on my next steps.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries
2. Do some research
3. Choose next steps

Second Sunday of Advent and Full Cold Moon

Today starts the second week of advent. Advent is a time of vigilant waiting; I wait for something mysterious and unscheduled, but I wait with quiet excitement, and expectation. If I fall asleep to this awareness I risk missing the moment of joy, courage, or insight; the gift of grace that has the potential to feed me in ways I need.

And tonight is the Full Moon! The full moon of December is called the Cold Moon, for obvious reasons. Nature is resting now in preparation for the growing season, and so should I be. No matter how busy I feel, I can slow down, rest more, and pay better attention to the inner growing that is going on.

Agenda today:
1. Journal queries
2. Update my altar
3. Advent wreath ceremony
4. Plan activities for unity and peace
5. Practice at my theme
6. Create inner synergy

Advent Simplicity

My theme for this first week of Advent is to "Cherish and care for the earth". My aim this advent is to celebrate simply and consume less.

The modern way of observing the winter holidays supports an increase in waste; one statistic says that Americans throw away 25% more trash– an additional 5 million tons– between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. A fun holiday season doesn't have to be a wasteful one!

Tips for a Simple Holiday:

• Simplify your expectations. Think about which traditions are most important to you. Find meaning and fulfillment in spirituality, and your relationships with family and friends.
• Be frugal and spend less money this year; reduce your purchasing of wants.
• Make your own gifts or buy simple, durable gifts; avoid the latest fad; buy gifts made locally and made from recycled materials.
• Use cloth napkins and reusable plates and cups for holiday parties.
• Make reusable bags out of pretty fabric to use as gift-wraps for family. Make tags from last year’s Christmas cards.
• Make decorations from found materials, and from materials collected in nature.

Agenda Today:
1. Journal queries
2. Make fabric bags
3. Deck the halls