Advent Spiral
Sunday, December 8, 2024
5:15 p.m. Families / Children
6:30 p.m. Adult Only / Adults & Teens Only Spiral
Suggested Donation: $10-20 per person or family
As the days grow darker, humankind looks for the light, within and without. During the four weeks preceding Christmas, known as the Advent Season, several traditions have evolved, in both pagan and Christian traditions, including the Advent Spiral.
The mood is hushed and reverent as participants enter the darkened room where evergreen boughs form the Spiral; music and poetry to help set the tone. Simple, yet profound, walking the Advent Spiral is an imaginative experience for both children and adults, symbolic of our individual spirit light / life on Earth, and the power to dispel anything that appears as darkness, whether visible or invisible.
Parents may accompany very young children or carry infants, helping them light their candle at the center of the spiral. Letting children simply soak up the beautiful imagery with minimal or no explanation allows rich symbolism to sink deeply into consciousness. Basic instructions to stay on the path as they carry their apple/candle to light from the center flame is typically all that is needed. They will place their apple on one of the golden stars along the way as they retrace their steps back out the spiral and return to their seat.
Adults, on the other hand, may appreciate the rich symbolism of the physical environment: evergreens for everlasting Life; the apple symbolizes the human body, the house that we live in; and each candle represents the individual human spirit – all lit from the One Light at the Center. We approach the Center Light in seeming darkness and carry the Light out to share with ourselves and the world, as individual expressions of the One.
Witnessing each other walk the Advent Spiral is meditative and powerful: as a community, our spirits shine brightly together, transforming the space with the expanding Light.
RSVPs are important so that we can have enough supplies on hand for everyone to participate fully. Families with children, please RSVP for the earlier Spiral, using this form. You may wish to bring warm slipper socks for your children to walk in (shoes will be left outside the room); please avoid long flowy skirts and dresses due to low candle flames. Parties consisting of Adults Only or Adults with Teens Only, please RSVP for the later Spiral. All times are approximate, depending on the number of participants in each group.
Questions? Feel free to contact Sandi Russi, RScP.