the first week of advent

Advent, Advent a candle burns

Advent, Advent a candle burns

First one then two then three then four

Then stands the Light Child at my door

Here in the Pacific Northwest the dark and cold are weighing heavily upon us as winter approaches.  Now is when we burrow into our homes with their warm hearth fires, ovens full of delicious goodies and creations of all kinds coming forth on our craft and Nature tables.  It is also a time when many candles are lit in our home to remind us of the sun’s rebirth and longer days to come as we prepare for a new year. 

Over the course of our daughter’s life, we’ve tried to pare this season down to its minimum, renewing its internal meaning and diminishing  the outer trappings and stress which often accompany what is supposed to be a joyous and contemplative period.  To prepare for the birth of both outer and inner light, we try to use this quiet, peaceful time for self reflection and renewal but still enjoy all the traditions that we remember as children and relish handing them down to our dear daughter. 

I usually had the chocolate Advent calendar with a treat behind every door when I was a kid but I’ve tweaked that a bit with Naiya.  Instead she opens one Advent bag each day of the season and in it discovers a treasure to place upon our Advent wreath.  It’s usually some token of the kingdom of the week: mineral, plant, animal or human.  This week her bags held shells, stones and crystals.  Next they’ll hide sprigs of herbs, seed and pine cones.  The following week, the animals from our nativity scene will fill the bags and the week before Christmas, the human figures including the shepherds and the holy family will appear.  Occasionally, the bags will hold a sweet treat as well.