Welcome to Advent!

Hope, Love, Joy and Peace, one candle at a time…

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the day to light the first candle of your Christmas wreath if you have one, a symbol of hope, in anticipation of the birth of Christ. The Advent Garden or Spiral is a long-held tradition in Waldorf Schools all over the world and is a place of many candles. Fresh greenery, usually pine and moss, is cut and laid in a spiral on the floor. Apples are prepared for every pupil, each bearing a candle to be lit.

At Ringwood Waldorf School, the room with the spiral is dark and, as the harps begin gently playing carols, the audience files in, mainly parents and friends, to sing and to watch. An angel enters the room, lights a taper and, walking slowly, follows the spiral to its centre, lights a single candle there, then retraces her steps.

One by one, as we all sing carols softly, the children step up, collect an apple from their teacher and walk the same spiral pathway. At the centre they light their candle and, as they make the journey back, place it somewhere on the spiral to light the way.  Each child’s spiral walk is the same and yet totally unique – some walk fast and boldly, others more softly, some know exactly where to place their candle, others decide tentatively. As the children continue one by one, we sing and watch as the spiral gets brighter, each child’s candle adding to the glow.

It’s simply beautiful and embodies the spirit of Advent – candle by candle through this month, we reach the brightest day of all.