This time of year is a favorite of mine.....
To me, the Christmas season is about family and gratitude. Togetherness. Warmth.
The religious undertones of advent and Christmas mean very little to me, even though there are family members who whole heartedly accept the birth of Christ as the "reason for the season".
Oh, it is such a touchy subject for any and all...I've been tiptoeing around it my entire life.
As someone who does not subscribe to any particular religion, the discovery of advent was refreshing and confusing at the same time. I am still learning...and wondering...and incorporating in my own way...
Stones that live in crystals, seashells, and bones."
I hold much appreciation for the natural world...amazing that these beautiful things are so common place and so often over looked...
"The second light of Advent is the light of plants–
Plants that reach up to the sun and in the breezes dance.
I am continually amazed by the grandeur of trees and plants...their steadfastness, their ability to "move" towards life forces...W loves to point up at the trees and exclaim his chosen word for the tall beauties...
The third light of Advent is the light of beasts–
All await the birth, from the greatest and in least."
The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind–
The light of hope that we may learn to love and understand.”
There is much to learn and take away from meaningful advent rituals.... In the end, I am a student in every way, shape and form...
Does anyone else celebrate advent in a non-religious manner? What does it mean to you?
Eventually, I will have to figure out my "place" in spirituality....or do I? As an (early) student of Anthroposophy, I worry a bit about grasping the incorporation of Christianity (debatable, of course..)
I recall being "spoon fed" Christianity as a young child during my summer vacations at my grandparent's house. I was scolded for inquiring about anything that seemed unbelievable to me and felt a lot of pressure and shame...I heard many stories of my mother and her sisters being forced into this way of thinking..and some counts of abuse, too. In 4th grade, a vacation bible school teacher pulled me aside and asked me if I would accept Jesus Christ as my savior. I was scared and nervous; unsure of what that even meant. So I said, "yes." I have been reminded of this a few times in my life, even though it meant nothing to me. I felt like I was a quota. A few other experiences have left a bad taste in my mouth, and I have never "found" my way through the forest of spirituality. This is NOT meant to offend or disservice anyone who has "found their way"...I may be a little envious, even!
To me, advent is the "grand finale" of sorts of the completion of a full year of festivals in the Waldorf home. It is pretty grand, isn't it? Christmas does so much for my senses, too....the smell of pine, cookies baking, the warmth of family drawn near...the excitement of gift giving....
Again, I have not meant to offend anyone...I am speaking aloud, from my soul....I know you will understand, dear friends!
you've just written the post I wanted to write this afternoon! (but didn't because the kids awake from nap just as I started..) I also wanted to state how little the nativity scene meant to me...
ReplyDeleteI love December 25th, I truly do. But I was raised atheist, and by myself I tend to give more "pagan" meaning to my celebration.
I grew up without Jesus. or any other divine figure for that matter, but my mom made the time before Noël truly sacred. She decorated and all, She's a teacher so she was counting the days till our vacation. She said she couldn't wait for the light hours to "grow" again.
So to me advent is the waiting time before "light start to grow" again. It's time for lots of blanket and hot chocolate, snow play and gift making :)
Hope what I said makes sense and makes you feel a tad better. Sorry it is so long..
p.s: My 2yr old is getting a rocking horse this year. Yours is lovely!
thank you, andreann....your words are lovely and ring so true to me...I am comforted by many religious images....the nativity scene, angels, etc....but I was also raised on the atheist side.....I like the way you're looking at things; I can so relate...
ReplyDeleteRebecca - I feel what you wrote and think you are brave for writing it and I truly admire that. I had similar experiences with my Catholic upbringing...it wasn't until the birth of my babies that I felt spiritual - I am spiritual not religious. I don't adhere to any set rules or sermon. I loved learning about the Quakers, and enjoyed the meetings. I love how the Pagans honor and celebrate the earth...perhaps and odd combination knowing the history of the two - but it works for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite posts.
Much love, Nicole
Waiting for your address to send you a check for some silks!
Solstice is my family's focus, and it is kept very simple and nature-based. I see it as a celebration of light. However, we do join our birth families in their varied celebrations of Christmas. And we do have an "advent stick" (which could easily be a "solstice stick") of handmade goodies that a group of friends create together. I see this as a wonderful tool for teaching my children about both the winter solstice, *and* Christmas, as well as yet other ways of honouring spirituality. Perhaps it is more one's *path* in spirituality, than their *place*.
ReplyDeleteA thought-provoking post - thank you :-)
Blessings and light...
well i love what you wrote and would like to have written it myself. i was brought up with religion myself and have found my own path since leaving home for college. i too am a bit envious of those with a solid faith in their beliefs. i'm still learning as i go myself and now being a mom i am so attracted to waldorf for the spiritual aspects in addition to the physical and intellectual aspects - head, hands, and heart. i want my son to feel a part of a community that has shared values that i believe in. i hope to get this from our future in waldorf. the older he gets and the more we converse with each other the more i am longing for this community around us on the physical plane - not just in the virtual world of blogging. wishing you a bright advent season filled with light and love!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. Your thinking is very much along the lines of mine. While we celebrate advent and we have a nativity scene, we do so more to celebrate the 4 kingdoms. I have found since having children and becoming a Waldorf/Steiner inspired household, I have had to, like you, come to terms with the christianity aspects and find ways to incorporate that into our lives while still being true to myself.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post as well. It's funny because I also wrote about advent today and I was kinda nervous about it too. I am religious/spiritual, but I am not Christian. I was raised in a very open minded semi-Christian way and am now Muslim. This means that with each festival in the Waldorf world, I have to somehow find a place for myself and my children. It's confusing.
ReplyDeleteThe advent spiral at my daughter's school today really was lovely and I am just choosing to take in the deeper meaning of our "inner light" and not worry about the religious aspect that doesn't really relate to me. I have found all of the people I have come into contact with at my daughter's school and in the Waldorf community in general to be very open-minded and understanding and I think you will find support easily as you explore this subject for yourself. Great post, I really enjoy your blog!
Im not religious either and im still figuring out how to make Christmas time meaningfull for me. The beginings of your christmas look beautiful
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful how the Waldorf festivals allow each person to find their own meaning and ways of celebrating. Nurturing for the little ones and healing for the parents perhaps.
ReplyDeleteWe have celebrated Advent for a few years now, even Christmas only became an official celebration a couple years earlier than that. In our earliest family days we focused our celebrations on Winter Solstice, the more traditional holiday left us with very conflicting feelings. Now we have found our own ways of celebrating that brings much magic to the season for our girls, happiness for the whole family.
Wishing you a most beautiful Advent season!
XO
(p.s. I think I have more to say though so I will write to you again soon..)
ah yes I have been moving through a similar process. I was raised Catholic and left it behind. I strive to offer my girls a deep sense of spirituality in way that rings true. This is my first year really embracing advent with them. I realized I wanted the lead up of Christmas to hold magic ~ not just the day of. Honoring advent offers a way to experience that. I am wish you on this journey.
ReplyDeleteShanti
this is very funny. last night my husband and i had a huge conversation about religion and what we want to expose are childrento. i was raised catholic but never understood churches so after i was of age i stop going. I do read the bible sometimes, for me is just a book of knowledge just like any other book. but as a waldorf parent we looking for a balance to stay true to ourself as well as honor some of the traditions. i do love christmas is really is a wonderful time, apart from the religion aspect.
ReplyDeletethank you for being honest
raquel
Rebecca, I also am right there with your line of thought on this. I had actually just started a post on our first advent just yesterday and stopped short, only wanting to proceed gently. Your post has inspired me to complete my own.
ReplyDeleteI discussed wanting to start some new traditions with my ex the other day and he just could not understand. I explained that this is something my spirit needs, to find meaning in what should be a time of great spiritual joy and celebration and if mine does I know that it is also important for my children.
With or without religion, I agree with Renee, that "the Waldorf festivals allow each person to find their own meaning and ways of celebrating. " and I am so grateful for that!
here is my post; http://thiscosylifeblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/finding-sacred-in-new-traditions.html
Rebecca, Oh, how many of us really relate to what speaks to your own soul! I grew up with no religious teachings, though we celebrated Christmas in the commercial sense, and Easter too. And this is what turned me off of Christianity, in addition to various historical events. And then I became a mama. I have such a new perspective on the Christian festivals that are more symbolic than literal. In a sense, the wonder has returned to these holy-days and I am so grateful for that. Renee is right, make them your own. What is meaningful to you will shine for your children.
ReplyDeletexo Jules
We aren't religious at all. I'm not sure we're spiritual either. I've never really understood either term. Thus Advent confuses me. I thought it was a distinctly Christian thing.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate the Solstice at home - though it's hardly a big affair. We visit my father for Christmas (where it's all about the gifts. ugh).
One of several ways that I've had trouble working Waldorf into our lives is that we don't do specific celebration well. We prefer to think that we celebrate life, nature, and each other every day.
I'm glad that the comments I've read to your post have been so supportive. It's hard to put yourself out there knowing that attack may lie around the corner. I commend you for your bravery. (:
I think that the Waldorf Advent traditions you describe are beautiful and deeply meaningful. Your honesty about where you are on your spiritual path is refreshing. I'm sorry that you've been hurt in the past. We're all on different paths and I firmly believe that those who truly want to know the truth will find it. I would describe my own beliefs as not religious, although I am a follower of Christ and his teachings.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I have read other blogs about the Waldorf advent circle, but each of them were Christian bloggers. I thought it was really pretty, but I honestly thought it was one of those Christian/Waldorf things. I LOVE the way you wrote it. I think its very exciting that I can use this in my home too!
ReplyDeleteAs a spiritual - but non religious person- i have raised my children to believe that the celebration of the earth, its wonders, its seasons, its giving to human kind is what is the Christmas season holds.Gratitude for mother earth and her gifts...a time for family and friends, and to hone skills in giving. It can be difficult to reconcile with how a child was raised. I was raised Pentacostle and i remember feeling fear all the time... this is not belief. A belief system should fold you into a loving grasp... it should allow a person to contibute to the world in a way that is meaningful for them. For my family advent marks the end of the years festivals, and marks a time when we set forth to affect positive change for the betterment of the earth --- in our little corner of it anyway ! Advent, is a magical time, and i love that it is up for some interpration for each family... that is the gift inside the gift...
ReplyDeletemuch light to you ...
I loved this post. I am coming at Advent from my own non-Christian angle as well, and was feeling so very tip-toey when I wrote some blog posts about Advent celebrations this week. I even got a response from one of my relatives on Facebook that I was not being respectful to Christians by calling our Advent Wreath an Advent Wreath. Your post is so brave and honest. It was a great inspiration for me to just be real on my blog and not worry so much about offending folks. Enjoy your Advent celebrations!
ReplyDeleteHere's a link to the Advent post I wrote. Our Waldorf kindergarten teachers give out a packet with articles on the different Waldorf winter festivals, and this article I included really resonated with me.
ReplyDeletehttp://mountainhearth.blogspot.com/2010/11/advent-wreath.html
Wonderful post! I, too, have struggled with keeping this time of year holy (I can't think of a better word at the moment) but not overtly religious. My husband is Muslim and while they believe in the virgin birth, the story isn't quite the same. Plus Jesus, while a major prophet, is not considered the messiah. All this to say that we don't focus on the birth of Jesus aspect of Christmas, but we do want to honor the fact that this is a special time of year. You (and your commentors) have given me many ideas to incorporate!
ReplyDeleteReading Sharifa Oppenheimer's words (Heaven on Earth) on Winter festivals really helped me. I love the idea that the birth of this "child of light" is really every child's story, and I do feel that young children especially would do this naturally. Enjoy figuring your celebration out!
ReplyDeleteDear Rebecca, it is this way for us too- the December holidays mean a lot to us and are deep in meaning and symbolic to us of so many things- But we do not celebrate in a Christian sense either.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Renee- the Waldorf festivals are wonderful in that they allow each family to find their own meaning- and that is how it is for us!
I very much appreciate your honesty- this is a topic that can be very difficult to discuss!
I love the way you celebrate Advent (not that you need or want my approval). I am Catholic but I may not be Catholic or Christian enough for some. We take bits and pieces from Christianity and other religions whether it is Bhuddism, Paganism or Judaism-not to be disrespectful or derivative at all. I just like for my kids to be as open to other people's perspective as possible while we all find our own way. I think we are all searching and I see no reason to be exclusive as there is much to learn and love about each other!
ReplyDeleteHappy Advent! Peace, Angela
This is a great post and has obviously struck a cord with so many of us. The honesty of your post and the comments that have been left is beautiful. We are christian and I am grateful for the meaning that gives this time for our family and I'm sorry that your experience with Christianity as a child was so unhelpful. The spiritual journey is ever twisting, and I think we are all finding our way continually - no matter what our religious beliefs. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI think that what I found to be so special and inviting through Waldorf was the way that no matter what the seasons mean, they are simply celebrated and we find a space through nature to find unity and meaning. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts, as well and the quotes on advent. They are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We celebrate the winter holidays with a hodge-podge of traditions and mythology. I've never actually looked into advent, assuming it was a fairly Christian "thing," but your post has shown me my own bias! It appears there are pieces of the advent tradition that just might sing to my soul. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post! We also celebrate advent in a non-religious way. We do use the Steiner poem you quoted, and find this to be a very wonderful way of celebrating the natural beauty that surrounds us each and every day. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful that you have developed meanings that you can relate to.
ReplyDeleteAdvent for us is more of a period of anticipation, a calm and joyful time to countdown to the celebration that helps merriment in the darkness of winter and to think especially about things we can do for others.
Rebecca, you have shared such a beautiful post with us. We to use that verse and you have described it so beautifully. I to agree with Renee, in that we find our own meaning in each celebration. We don't participate in any religion, but we feel our own spirituality within our lives and surroundings. A beautiful advent and holiday season to you.xxx
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed. I was raised by a very religious Methodist father and I never felt joy when reading Christian scriptures, only shame and fear. I have come to love Buddhism, not believing in the deities or reincarnation, but the teachings, which do make me feel joyful. I also feel a strong connection to the natural world, which goes hand in hand with Buddhism. We have made "advent" our own as well, with circles and lights being a strong connection to humanity, not merely Christianity.
ReplyDeleteRebecca~ Thank you so very much for such a beautiful and honest post. I grew up with a Catholic mom and Atheist dad. :)
ReplyDeleteActually, one of the most attractive aspects of Waldorf to me has always been the festivals and celebrations( and I definitely see them as adaptable to one's specific spirituality and history). I have always appreciated the rituals of organized religion and yearned for them since we do not practice any particular faith. Waldorf has been such a great way to explore the meaning of each festival for our individual family. Thanks again, sara
one of the ways i've heard some things explained via waldorf is that they are presented 'as a story' rather than 'truth'. i am much more comfortable with that, and i think you are right on about taking what resonates and leaving what doesn't. we're spiritual, but i wouldn't say religious and certainly not anthroposophists.
ReplyDeleteThe reason it’s called a spiritual path and not a parking lot is because it is meant to be a life long search with many twists and turns along the way. I’ve always loved the saying that a ship in a harbor is safe but that’s not what ships are meant for. You are on your path and it is beautiful, why does it need a label? Your advent is beautiful and I am thinking about adopting the Waldorf advent for my family. Waldorf has a beautiful way of reaching everyone no matter what your background may be. Happy Sailing.
ReplyDeleteAsking questions and wondering/wandering are good, health things. I am a believer in Christ, but I appreciate your honest inquiry. A faith-filled man that I greatly respect said that no true faith ever comes without a season of questioning. Otherwise, the faith is not our own but the faith of our parents or teachers. (this is a big-time paraphrase!)
ReplyDeleteWe do not celebrate Christian holidays in our house, though we do participate on the most basic levels with extended family. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteI have written a few on my blog as to how we celebrate and honor the season.
http://lunapacifica.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/the-reasons-for-the-season.html
http://lunapacifica.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/holly-king-vs-santa-claus.html
Pinned! Beautiful ideas for a custom, spiritual Advent!
ReplyDeletePinned! Beautiful ideas for a custom, spiritual Advent!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece...just found your blog today when I was searching for "non-religious ways to celebrate Advent." Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLovely. My extended family is mostly all very Christian, but I grew up not really feeling it. I do however find myself wanting to teach tradtion during this time of year and also about my family's tradions, one of which is celebrating Advent in a Christian way. I have tried to adapt it to fit our family and enjoyed reading how you have adapted it. I have found it fun to do the first Sunday as a day for decoration and creating a fun space for our family. Usually the Saturday before Solstice my Mom hosts what she dubbed the Illuminata Regatta where people come with their decorated kayaks and canoes and float on the Willamette River all lit, we usually try and go to a holiday event like the tuba Christmas for another week, and then do family oriented events.
ReplyDeleteLovely. My extended family is mostly all very Christian, but I grew up not really feeling it. I do however find myself wanting to teach tradtion during this time of year and also about my family's tradions, one of which is celebrating Advent in a Christian way. I have tried to adapt it to fit our family and enjoyed reading how you have adapted it. I have found it fun to do the first Sunday as a day for decoration and creating a fun space for our family. Usually the Saturday before Solstice my Mom hosts what she dubbed the Illuminata Regatta where people come with their decorated kayaks and canoes and float on the Willamette River all lit, we usually try and go to a holiday event like the tuba Christmas for another week, and then do family oriented events.
ReplyDeleteI know this is an old post! BUt I just wanted to say that it is so lovely to see someone who also wants to incorporate the warmth and light of advent into their traditional, secular christmas. How do you deal with grandparents who are "spoonfeeding" your children christianity? My husband and I have made the conscientious decision to raise them non-religiously, yet we want them to be aware that this is what their grandparents believe. Our boys are (7.5, 4.5 and 1.5). Have you found any nativity stories that are relatively story-like instead of this is the (forgive the pun) gospel truth?
ReplyDelete