First Quarter moon of December

Photo by Alan Gillespie

 At the First Quarter Moon we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. Kiki Ely, in her book  Living Lunerly, says, "A good way to remember this is by looking at the perfect line of shadow down the moon's center: this is the moment to draw a firm line, boundary, or decision in your life and stick to it."

Now is the time to use obstacles as fuel for growth and show full effort for priorities. If you've been observing the advent time at a slow pace, you can begin to add more light and liveliness now.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Make a full effort plan

3. Make sweet, salty, or spicy nuts

Testimony of Peace

Quakers have a testimony of peace;

by testimony we mean a call to bear witness by our words and actions to our ideals. 

Our Faith and Practice says: 

"Our peace testimony begins with opposition to war and is a positive affirmation of the power of good to overcome evil. We seriously consider the implications of our employment, our investments, our payment of taxes, and our manner of living as they relate to violence at all levels. We remain sensitive to the covert as well as the overt violence inherent in some of our long-established social practices and institutions, including unfettered capitalism and the unjust distribution of wealth. We work to change those elements which violate our conviction that there is that of God in everyone."

Agenda
1. Journal queries

2. Plan a Quaker Christmas celebration

3. Advent prayer for peace

Rohatsu

Rohatsu is Japanese for "eighth day of the twelfth month," so it always falls on December 8th.

Today Japanese Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the Buddha. It's also known as Bodhi Day. Here's the short explanation:

After years of searching for answers, Siddhartha Gautauma finally vowed that he would sit under the Bodhi tree until he found the truth. Siddhartha fasted and meditated under the tree for a week, and on the morning of the eighth day he was enlightened by the principles at the heart of Buddhism. After that he was called the Buddha - The Enlightened One.

In Japanese Zen monasteries, Rohatsu is the last day of a week-long sesshin, an intensive meditation retreat. Participants maintain silent meditation at all times, even while eating and doing chores. And each evening's meditation period gets a little longer, until on this last night they sit up all night. The Rohatsu Retreat gives participants the opportunity to realize their own Buddha nature.

Agenda today:

1. Zazen Meditation

2. Make rice kheer

3. Decorate with a string of colored lights

Advent Unity and Peace

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 by learning about the advent or winter traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world.

This year I decided to learn more about the advent customs in Switzerland, the ancestry of my mother's grandfather, Noah Hunsberger Jones. His earliest ancestors in this country were English Quakers (hence the name Jones) and Swiss-German Mennonites, both of whom left Pennsylvania for Canada after the Revolutionary war.

Agenda:

1. Research a Mennonite Christmas

2. Make Swiss caramels
3. Make pocket prayer quilts 

St. Nicholas Day Kindness

My grandson's first St. Nicholas Day, last year!

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. 

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 little scrap birds

2nd Week of Advent and St. Nicholas Eve

Today starts the second week of advent. Advent is a time of vigilant waiting; I wait for something mysterious and unscheduled, 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 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.

Agenda today:

1. Joy of Giving meditation

2. Journal queries

3. Donate to Toys for Tots
4. Make pfeffernüsse

5. Advent wreath ceremony

6. Plan activities for unity and peace

7. Fill shoes, deliver gifts