Dear Shepherdstown families interested in Waldorf,

I hope you are cozy in your homes, preparing for a savory meal today.  I am grateful that we have started a Waldorf community that can gather periodically during these days of social isolation.

Attached is a flyer for our December event at Morgan's Grove on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 4:00 until 5:00 that evening.  It is called a winter spiral or an advent spiral, and it invites children and families to walk a small labyrinth with a candle (nestled in an apple), light it from a central candle, and walk back through the spiral to find a golden star on which to place theirs.

There will again be musical accompaniment, and we'll sing a song before and after, around the evergreen spiral,  trimmed with decorations and golden stars.

The magic of the darkening day, illuminated with candles lighting the way, is palpable as the families, led by their child/children, make the journey through the fragrant winter spiral. Coming after Martinmas and St. Nicholas Day (12/6), yet ahead of the winter solstice and Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa, it fits within the end-of-year celebrations of light, age-old and world wide.

This is a brief event that lasts only as long as the total number of families and children and neighbors who desire to participate. We will sing before and after, listen to musical accompaniment during the candle-lighting, and send the children home again with a more tangible treat.

I wish you a serene family holiday today, and look forward to meeting you again in a couple of weeks.

Please let me know if you will be able to come, as soon as possible. See below instructions for making the candle apple holder, as well as lyrics and music for the songs.

St. Nicholas Day letter to families interested in Waldorf • Dec. 5, 2020