Home School Life

Last night I attended a Holy Nights gathering with some good friends. We read and shared reflections on a Steiner lecture and generally discussed the significance of the Holy Nights. It was lovely to share this introspective time with others who are holding the Holy Nights with such consciousness.

I’ve heard it said that during the Holy Nights the spiritual world is closer to the earthly world than it is at any other time of year. I’ve held this in my consciousness for some time, but haven’t really understood what it means or how to allow that closeness to come to bear on my life. Last night one of my friends mentioned how significant her sleep life is during this time. When we are sleeping we are closer to the spiritual world than when we are waking and my friend said that she writes all of her dreams down. Once she mentioned this I realized that I have been having quite vivid dreams (and one in particular about the friend who was sharing this practice.) When she mentioned that the 12 Holy Nights line up with the 12 months of the year I was even more inspired to record my dreams.

The rest of our meeting focused on destiny and karma, particularly as they relate to pain and suffering. We spoke about pain and suffering being the catalyst for growth and though we typically bemoan those painful experiences, we really should embrace them for the growth they are inspiring within us.

It was a lovely meeting and I was so grateful for the opportunity to disconnect from the hubbub and connect with something so much more profound. At the end of the gathering we spoke the Christmas meditation, which I just love.

At the turning point of time

the spirit light of the world entered the stream of earthly evolution

Darkness of night had held its sway

Day-radiant light poured into the souls of humankind

Light that gives warmth to simple shepherds’ hearts

Light that enlightens the wise heads of kings

O light divine, O sun of Christ

Warmth thou our hearts

Enlighten thou our heads

That good may become

What from our hearts we would found

And from our heads direct

With single purpose.

Rudolf Steiner