A Waldorf-Inspired Advent: Week One
As the days grow shorter and darker here in New England, I appreciate traditions that bring warmth and light into our home. Waldorf Advent traditions center around the light- carrying light in the darkness, honoring the light of the natural world, and sharing our inner light. Over the Advent season, we’re invited to honor and celebrate the unique gifts of the natural world and find a deeper connection with nature, each other, and ourselves.
On the first Sunday of Advent, we read the first line from Rudolph Steiner’s verse The Four Lights of Advent:
The first light of Advent is the light of stones—
The light that shines in crystals, in seashells, and in bones.
We can reflect on the meaning we find in this verse and the mineral kingdom. To me, it represents the foundation of Earth- having a strong foundation, being grounded, and how we’re all part of something bigger. Then we light an Advent candle and decorate our seasonal table with crystals, rocks, seashells, and snowy decorations (yes, snow is a mineral too!).
This year, I’m integrating this Advent celebration into our Advent calendar. Each Advent calendar pocket will hold a card with an activity or craft, and one small gift per week. All week, we’ll be connecting with the mineral kingdom through activities, including crafting a gift to give. We’ll also be reading some themed books and making a recipe.
Week 1: Minerals
Activities:
Rock Painting
Go on a rock hunt, and then paint rocks with winter themes. Link to activity idea from Frugal Fun Blog.
Salt Dough Ornaments
Make simple salt-dough ornaments, then paint them with mica powder mixed with Mod Podge for shimmer.
Borax Crystal Ornaments
This is a fun science activity & it’s also a craft - Link to activity from KiwiCo.
Salt painting
Make a snowflake shape with glue. Pour salt over the glue, then pour off excess salt. Watercolor over salt.
Seashell Handprint Keepsake
This craft could be DIY’d with salt dough, but I purchased this Eco-kids kit from Bella Luna Toys.
Craft a Gift to Give: Bath Salts
Herbal bath salts are a classic handmade gift to give, and so easy to make! Click here for instructions on making herbal bath salts.
Small gift:
Geode
This week’s small gift will be a geode that we can crack open together. I’ve found these for sale locally at natural history museum gift shops and nature center gift shops. They can also be found on Etsy and other online shops.
Recipe:
Stone Soup
Stone Soup is a perfect meal to make for the cold winter months- it warms the body and soul. Inspired by the beloved folk tale Stone Soup, a story about the power of community and sharing. Alone, we may feel that we don’t have enough, but when we come together, we discover there’s more than enough for everyone.
Making Stone Soup can be a fun and meaningful lesson in coming together. Have each family member add a different vegetable to the pot, or turn it into a Stone Soup Party by inviting friends to join in. Everyone brings a vegetable to share, and together you’ll create something delicious and communal. Make sure to add a (very clean) stone to the soup!
Recipes:
Books to read:
The Snowflake
A sweet story with themes of finding hope, finding your purpose, coming together, and shining brightly.
Snowflakes in Photographs
This book contains hundreds of photos of snowflakes. Explore the beauty of nature’s diversity. Every snowflake is unique- just like us!
A Rock is Lively
Beautiful, whimisical, and informative!
When You Find The Right Rock
An excellent book for kids who like to collect rocks (I think that might be all kids)! This story reminds us that the earth connects us all and encourages readers to slow down and notice the wonder of the natural world.
Snowflake Bentley
This biography tells the story of Wilson A. Bentley, who devoted his life to photographing snowflakes and revealed the detail and wonder of each unique snow crystal. This book celebrates determination, patience, and the beauty of the natural world.
Stone Soup
A true classic with themes of sharing and community. True abundance is found when we come together.
I’d love to hear about your family’s holiday traditions in the comments!