At my school we have a tradition of celebrating the beginning of Advent by having the children walk a spiral of evergreens holding a red apple with a small white candle embedded in it.
They walk the spiral with their unlit candle and in the centre of the spiral is a candle flame from which they can light their little candle and then place it somewhere on the spiral as they leave.
It is a symbolic walk in the middle of winter when it is dark and dreary outside and we have to hold the light in our hearts until spring returns.
The journey starts in complete darkness except for that one centre candle, but by the end the room is lit with the glow of many little candles nestled into apples along the spiral path.
From preschool through grade three each child walks this on their own. In the older grades the school comes together each Monday of Advent and a child is chosen to walk the spiral on behalf of her or his class.
So many advent memories of my own children and then of the children I taught. So many shining candles reminding me that even in the darkest of winter there is always light.
Always hope.
What a beautiful tradition that is.I love the square that the kids made as well of the apple and candle. What a wonderful start to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteone down, 25 to go....
DeleteThat's such an amazing tradition. I love that your school does that!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
Thank you. You too!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry... typed the other in bed and it was a mess... as I was TRYING to say...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful first post. Those little people will always remember the calm beauty of that advent tradition. So many of those reminders of the exquisite magic in our world have been lost in favour of disposable paper-thin instant gratification.
Your memory touched my heart...
As your words so often do.
You're a keeper, Mary-Anne.
yes it is a much nicer tradition than shopping, wrapping, crazy chistmas frenzy. And, btw...you are a keeper too!
DeleteThat is such a lovely tradition! I wish more schools would do that.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A-Z challenge!
http://myfightinside.blogspot.com/
Good luck to you too. Your first post was awesome. I will be back.
DeleteWhat a wonderful tradition for the students and teachers alike. And a beautiful block also.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tradition for the students and teachers alike. And a beautiful block also.
ReplyDeleteyes it is my favourite school festival, for sure!
Deletehello there! I'm popping in from the a-z and had to stop by b/c my name is Marianne as well! I like to find women of faith in the blogosphere - I think women who love God and proclaim his mercy can change the world! Come visit me, if you'd like:
ReplyDeletehttp://adventuresintheballpark.blogspot.com
thank you . I will be visiting your blog throughout this challenge too.
Delete