The First Week of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. We went to Mass this morning and the girls really enjoyed seeing the beautiful purple incorporated into the garments and altar as well as watching as the first candle of the Advent Wreath was lit. We will also light the first candle on our wreath each night this week at dinner time.

We've been talking all week about making some sort of Advent Calendar. Annette at Seasons of Joy inspired us to incorporate stars into our calendar and this is what we came up with.... originally I was thinking of doves.
We are calling it our 'Advent Spiral Calendar' and we just love it :) Each day we will add the star that is associated with that day until we reach our center and can place the Christmas Star on as God's light comes into our world.

Blessings to You & Your Family!

xoxo

Martinmas

On November 11th we celebrate The Feast of St. Martin, otherwise known as Martinmas. St. Martin was said to be a man of peace and generosity. He did not want to fight but obeyed the law and served in the military as he was required to. He took the earnings he made as a solider and gave it to needy families. One story tells of how he cut his own cloak in half to warm a homeless beggar on the stree who was Christ in disguise. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of soliders.

In America, we also celebrate Veteran's Day this week. Let us take this time to allow the Spirit of Saint Martin to fill us with thoughts of peace, love and gratitude for soldiers of past and present wars.

Charity Idea in St. Martin's Honor:

This week gather food and items to donate to a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen in your area. If you are a childcare provider you can ask parents to donate clothes or cannded goods that you will deliver yourself. Older children can go with you to deliver the items or you can serve or cook at a local soup kitchen.

It is traditional in Waldorf circles to hold a lantern walk in celebration of Martinmas. Last week we made beautiful lanterns that we will use.

Keira's Third Grade Mass

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In third grade, the students at Keira's school choose a Saint that they would like to represent and then the children dress up as their Saint, lead the Friday morning mass and say a short speech on their chosen person. Keira chose Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. She did such an amazing job standing up and speaking - we were all so proud of her!

I used the video feature on my camera so its not the best quality...

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