Advent, religious link?

[whoami]

The way waldorf schools celebrate advent really speaks to me. I am thinking we will try celebrating the four week festival of advent this year as a way to lead up to christmas and the solstice. I like how they recognize and celebrate the strength and beauty of all four of the kingdoms of the natural world, paying tribute to the mineral world, plant kingdom, animals. and human beings. There doesn't seem to be so much of a focus on the birth or christ, but there's something spiritual there that we appreciate.

My understanding is advent is traditionally observed by catholics. What's the link with the way waldorf approaches it? Is is prechristian/pagan? Also, what's up with the advent spiral? Is that lighted on Christmas eve, or each day starting from December 1 as like an alternative to the advent calendar?

[nanette0269]

some interesting reading here...

http://herbnites.tripod.com/waldorfinspiredschool/id14.html

[nanette0269]

this is a nice summary as well:

http://www.suite101.com/content/pagan-origin-use-of-the-advent-wreath-a170540

[MamaScout]

Go check out the blog UncommonGrace.  She has lots of beautiful stuff about advent from a Waldorf perspective.

[whoami]

Thanks I'll try and get some reading in this afternoon. We don't identify with any religion but we are spiritual and I think this might work for us.

[radish]

thanks for the links - very helpful :)

i would also like to know more about the waldorf interpretations.

[whoami]

Originally Posted by radish 

thanks for the links - very helpful :)

i would also like to know more about the waldorf interpretations.

I came across the below site while doing more reading. My head is spinning now...

http://sites.google.com/site/waldorfwatch/christmas