Dear Michael Hall Community,

The Advent Fair which we have just enjoyed on a very cold, crisp, sunny day with clear blue skies, signals Advent is on the horizon. This year it is the shortest possible time as Christmas Day falls on a Monday, which indicates that there are four Sundays and no weekdays before Christmas Day.  

During these four weeks we are offered a time to look ahead to ‘a season of candlelight, reflection and preparation’ as explained in one source.  

On Monday we will celebrate with the first Advent assembly, where we will all sing the first verse of People Look East which reminds us to ‘make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table’. 

On Sunday, Classes 1 and 2 will share an Advent play with us, in which they will walk the beautiful Advent spiral. Each child will carefully carry their light (a small flickering flame) and place it on the richly scented greenery of the fir spiral decorated with crystals (which represent the mineral world ), cyclamen (the plants) and shells (the animals) while Mary stands with her warm embrace ready for the Christ Child’s arrival. New life, a reconnection with this precious life, family, friends and community – here on earth and in the heavens. 

Quietly, we will all leave the spiral behind us, a room glowing with candlelight, harp music still resounding in our ears, the picture of what we have just seen, a strong imprint on our souls. 

In the poem, Leisure by W.H Davies the lines, ‘What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?  Perhaps Advent then can offer us a timely reminder of ‘candlelight, reflection and preparation’. 

Advent blessings. 

Jacqueline Courtenay
Assistant Principal