Advent Spiral

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Advent Spiral takes place on the first day of Advent, the fourth Sunday preceding Christmas. The days are short, the nights are long and this festival helps remind us of our ability to bring our own light into darker times. A spiral of greenery is laid out on the floor of a quiet, darkened room and filled with items representing three kingdoms: plant, mineral, and animal (man being the fourth). At the center a lit candle is placed, and each child is given a turn to make his or her way through the spiral to the center, carrying an unlit candle they have made in preparation for this day. When the center candle is reached the children light their own candle off of its wick and then place it somewhere along the spiral as they make their way back out. As children place their candle along the path the light in the room slowly grows. It is a quiet and moving experience, both to participate in and to watch.