Facebook pixel

Advent Season at Minnesota Waldorf School

Grades Advent Spiral: 6 pm Wednesday, Dec. 7th Details TBA
Early Childhood Advent Spiral: Birch & Oak 8:45-9:15 am, Willow & Maple 9:20-9:50 am Wednesday, Dec. 7th

Winter is quickly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere and the world of nature appears to be going to sleep. The daylight hours are growing shorter and we experience long nights of darkness. The celebration of Advent, filled with expectation, is a time of moving through the darkness toward the yearly rebirth of the light, when the days begin to grow longer. The word “advent” means arriving, and this season is celebrated in many traditions as the time of waiting which precedes the arrival of light in the midst of the dark winter. It is a time of hope and anticipation within a time of mystery and quiet contemplation.

Advent season is also a tool that invites people of all faith to deepen their spirituality, understanding of themselves and others, and our place in the universe. It challenges us to grow our connection to the world, the rocks and minerals, plants and animals.

At the Minnesota Waldorf School, we mark the four weeks of Advent on each Monday, beginning November 28th. We light a candle on our Advent wreath, perhaps open a window on our Advent calendar, and recite a special verse. Each week, we honor a different kingdom of nature: mineral, plant, animal and human, until at last, we have completed the circle. To access all four Advent verses, click here.

Week One
The first light of Advent is the light of stone–.
Light that lives in crystals, seashells, and bones.

Week Two
The second light of Advent is the light of plants–
Plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance.

Week Three
The third light of Advent is the light of beasts–
All await the birth, from the greatest and in least.

Week Four
The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind–
The light of hope that we may learn to love and understand.