“One little candle lighted in the wreath, the earth below, prepares to glow

Two little candles lighted in the wreath, the plant lifts up, a blossom cup

Three little candles lighted in the wreath, the animals run , to see the sun

Four little candles lighted in the wreath, a baby is born, to warm the earth, to fill the cup, to light the sun, to lift me up”

In just three short weeks our lovely group of ten K6 children will be graduating from Karri Kindergarten at our 'Stepping Stones' ceremony, to be held on Wednesday 16th December.  This special day, the last in Kindergarten for the year, signifies the completion of their first six years (represented by the six stepping stones they will cross over), and beginning of their second septennial of life.  This is significant as it heralds the 'etheric birth' or 'change of teeth' which indicates a readiness for academic learning.  The children have been visiting 'big school' for lunch and play, and working on completing their craft bags which will be used to store their knitting next year. 

During these last weeks in Kindergarten we celebrate 'Advent', which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (this year it falls on Sunday 29th November).  By recognising the four kingdoms on earth; minerals, plants, animals and humans, we give our gratitude, and our little ceremony is a quiet time of focus, which can deepen our connection to the Christmas season.

Each week we  light another candle in the wreath and place a gift thus building up our Advent table; the first week a rock or crystal, the second a plant or flowers, the third a little animal before, at last, the nativity  scene is revealed.

This can be done simply at home, for example by lighting a candle before placing a special crystal in the centre of the table, followed by a little plant the next week, and an animal figurine the next.  A simple nativity could be set up on a table, and on Christmas morning the children can discover the little baby Jesus in the manger.

This beloved ritual can be a quiet moment in this busy time and help to bring a calm and reverent mood amidst the commercialism of the season.

We wish everyone a peaceful end to the year and a wonderful Summer holidays.

Love from all of us in Karri Kindergarten