gratitude on Advent Sundays
above is the first stage of my advent wreath on my altar - the first mauve candle in a fake pine wreath next to a vintage statue of the Holy Family. I will light the candle each night at dinner time & let it burn for an hour or two. Each Sunday a new candle will be added.setting up my advent wreath today, I wondered to myself, what I could say that I was grateful for. I have many blessings, many wonderful friends & my health is good. I lit the candle and as I did, I realized that I am grateful for my spirituality - that spark inside that has me constantly asking questions * celebrating, when I 'realize' something about life & the bubbling joy inside that I feel this time of year. I am grateful that I know what I believe is true for me, even if I find it hard to put into words. During this past week, ~ a friend pointed out to me that I am trying to blend two totally different beliefs and it's hard to achieve clarity of thought if my two paths haven't joined. And asked me the question: Do you think you have been able to join these two paths?
I hope that during this advent that I can somehow blend my two paths (the catholic and the old religion that was my great Nans') - I am sure I can. I have to. I am going to search the internet for information and ideas. You will see me grow . And I am sure my wise women friends will give me input as I go along.
so setting up my advent wreath on my altar - saying prayers & spells as I went & decorating the wreath with some vintage flowers which I will add to each Sunday ~ is one step towards the bringing together of my beliefs. During the week - I am going to add some crystals and other bits n pieces to my advent wreath to make it my very own - my yule time advent wreath with a touch of the olde religion and alot of me.
Labels: gratitude on Sunday, my 'spiritual' life, my Christmas journey
posted by Miss Robyn | 5:05 pm
10 Comments:
oh' Miss Robyn..I was here this afternoon just reading and enjoying the peace I get here..I tried posting a comment..but since I am still clumsy with the new beta my comments filtered away..no wonder...no wonder...I had to cruise back here to read you new post which wasn't up a few hours ago...
And I must say what I have in heart...Your posts and pics are inspiring...your confusion are my words..athey are endearing...they are not tiring tohear at all...The past couple of days...no week...I was feeling something I couldn't put down..but you did it for me...I feel happy...
And your christmas altar here with the spells and all are peaceful..I needde to be reminded of my own need to be still and calm and just to be...I have been too noisy inside my mind with the echoes of demands and responsibilities...somehow letting go of the enchantment to just be still.....
Please do post a pic of your wreath with crystals in it...the energy will reach me...just someone..thousands and thousands of miles across the ocean...being touched by your magic!
Been refreshed by your comments over at kansasrose...and lady luxie I think I've noticed you there ,too...all that to say, hello and thank you for being one of those gals who celebrates the season bearing in mind the reason...I love it in John where Jesus says "I have come that ye might have life and have it more abundantly."
He gives us thses passions and has wired all of us up just a little differently...and some of us up almost alike...the vintage passions and all..
stop on over if you wish.
So many things to say and yet ..not really because everything I could say you have thought or said. For some there seems to be no need of joining paths while for others it seems to be a maze of little footpaths all leading to God. I backtrack and retrace and try to skip ahead, yet always find myself back on the path toward the One who is the Source of all things. I think that it is a very personal thing, this spiritual business. We, of course, effect one another and can help one another but I believe that we have to trust the voice and the seeker inside us. I had well-meaning friends try to keep me from reading a book because of their fear that it would be detrimental to me somehow. I love them for caring but I'm so glad I didn't listen because it has added so much to my search and right now, in this moment, I feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be and it's a good feeling. I am so grateful for your honesty and your willingness to be exposed from the inside out. Trust yourself as you seek. I say this to myself as well as you. I do believe you can join paths and I believe that our paths join also and into the mysterious love and light we go.
Leave it to me to forget it is the first Sunday of Advent. I love your idea of adding flowers and crystals to your wreath, what a lovely idea!
I like the way you blend your beliefs and make them uniquely your own. I'm looking forward to see how your advent wreath evolves, and the rest of your Christmas preparations. Have a great Sunday Robyn.xp
My dear friend from OZ...you are one of those rare souls who just can exude love and kindess to all and that is what any religion is about isn't it? No matter if it is Christianity or the Old Ways...it is the worship of the light and the great spirit of life that binds all creation....Why do most wars involve religious differences? You put it so well the struggle we have in just accepting the message of love in the cloak of different religions. I know you have love in your heart for all. That is why you are so dear to so many Robyn! Like I have said...You very deep and wise. You're friendship has been a gift. xxxooo
Don't want to say too much and be misunderstood...which often happens in areas of spiritual issues...(since it is spiritual, how can our limited language and understanding make much sense of it...much less claim to have all the answers...???)
Your grandmother's church was very good at incorporating the beliefs, practices and traditions of other "paths"....even the advent wreath has roots in earth-related/ goddess cultures....so my two cents is to "relax and enjoy" tradition, ritual and celebration are good for the human spirit!
I just came home from my contemplative prayer group...we read books on various spiritual paths...and I have just finished setting up my Advent wreath. I will have to run to Target to see if they have a white candle for the center...Christ representing the light of the world...or the sun returning in the solstice traditions.
Oooops!!!, I still need to slow down..(a good advent wish in itself)...I mis-read your post and thought your grandmother was Catholic!..... at any rate, the early Christians incorporated many aspects of other "ways".
Robyn...I think it's wonderful that you can blend beliefs that you have inherited. We all are on a personal journey....many of us have roots based in different religions.....the main thing after all the soul searching and praying and lighting candles is that you are TRUE to yourself. I think you are. That is where you need to be!
Always be true to yourself...don't change for anyone else, just yourself. Make the advent your own, blend the two religions if you want, do whatever makes YOU happy inside!! xoxo
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