Join esteemed Steiner educators Carol Liknaitzky and Sandra Busch for a magical Steiner advent experience!
Whether your traditions are centered around the Christian essence of Christmas, or you are simply wishing to bring sweetness and reverence into this busy time, this Advent journey will invite the spirit of Christmas through creativity and connection into your home.
🌟 ADVENT- A preparation for Peace, Joy and New Birth🌟
with Carol Liknaitzky & Sandra Busch
“A preparation for Peace, Joy and New Birth” will include weekly emails from Sandra and Carol with activities and verse for you to do alongside your children, leading up to the a very special community gathering and workshop.
Beginning in December, each week through Advent, you will receive an email prompt, inviting your family into nature, connection, creativity & ritual.
You’ll be led through the kingdoms of nature- mineral, plant & animal, until we arrive together, in-person, to celebrate the human kingdom with a beautiful Waldorf/Steiner Advent Festival, including story and craft and more.
“The first light of Advent is the light of the stones
that sparkle through seashells, crystals and bones.
The second light of Advent is the light of the plants
that reach to the sun and in the breeze dance.
The third light of Advent is the light of the beasts
that swim, crawl or fly, be they great, be they least.
The fourth light of Advent is the light of the human,
in love and in thought, to give and illumine.”
Think beauty, imagination and ritual- whether you celebrate Christmas in a traditional sense, or just wish to bring sweetness and reverence into this busy time, we hope you’ll join us on this sweet very special Advent journey.
What to expect
Receive an email prompt each week guiding you to set a special place in your home and taking you through the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms
Advent Festival Workshop Sat 14 Dec 10.00 am to 12.30. Together we will hear a special story about a family preparing for Christmas when something happens that changes everything!
Create simple nativity figures, small animals and more!
You can attend in person or virtually, so even if you can’t make the gathering, still benefit from the ritual of the weekly inspirations.
If Your family would like to join in, the preparations will begin in week one of Advent, where you will be invited (through email inspiration) to set a special place in your home for you and your children to add to each week.
““These simple rituals provided us with more peace and calm for our nervous systems, while we made everything we needed, together with our children, instead of joining the Xmas rush. It is such a worthwhile tradition””
Led By Distinguished Facilitators
Carol Liknaitzky:
With over 40 years as an adult educator in Steiner education, Carol has been a guiding force in the early childhood sector, human and child rights. Her extensive experience, spanning universities to remote communities in Africa and Australia, reflects her commitment to collaborative adult development. Carol's passion lies in creating a village of collaborative adults, fostering flourishing environments for children. Learn more about her offerings at HeartSpaces.
Sandra Busch:
A founding teacher at Little Yarra Steiner School for 30 years, Sandra's dedication to early childhood education shines through her rich experience. As a published author of two children's books, inspired by her work with children, Sandra brings a unique blend of storytelling and educational insight.
Sandra and Carol have very fond memories of the many years they spent preparing with their children for Christmas, and would love to share this experience with your family.
We look forward to seeing you in person or virtually (if you can’t be there in person) on December 14!
ADVENT WEEK ONE:
Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, and so begins our journey together.
Advent refers to “That which is coming”.
We adore this ritual as each week we build upon the last, leading us through the four kingdoms of nature, building anticipation and deepening our connection to our natural world.
As the Christmas story unfolds, Mary and Joseph first travel through the mineral kingdom…
“The first light of Advent is the light of the stones that sparkle through seashells, crystals and bones”
Today we invite you to get ready with these simple steps...
Find a special spot in your home for your festive table. This can be a small table or a box. (Ours in on our piano this year!) This can be a place that little hands can touch, unlike an altar, we like this to be a place that children can explore.
Drape a suitable cloth that will represent the earth
Add some simple gifts from nature representing the mineral kingdom; shells, stones or little bones...
Consider including a space for 4 candles. Each week we light a new candle and through the light of the candles we see the light expand as we approach Christmas
Guidance from Sandra-
My sky here is created across an opened out, hardcover book, draped with a blue cloth. Your children’s blocks or pieces of wood, bark might become your stable. Get creative! In this picture, my stable is created with a nice cardboard container that some apples from the market came in.
In the first week, the stones of the mineral kingdom wish to welcome the child. With my class at circle time, I would light a candle and prepare the children to go into the garden and find a stone that they thought would like to welcome the baby, they then bought it in and placed it in their chosen spot. While this is happening, you could sing a Christmas Carol or even a little song made up on the spot eg. “ The little stones welcome the child,” just gently over and over, and then maybe hum. It will help set a nice quiet atmosphere. You could then read a Christmas story. I love Mary’s Little Donkey by Gunhild Sehlin> It’s a nice chapter story book.
Enjoy this special time with your children.
