St. Thomas Episcopal Church

2024 Advent Garden

 Reservations are now open for this year's Advent Garden on Saturday, December 14th.

Walk and Experience St. Thomas's Annual Advent Garden

Click here to watch a short promo video of this special event.
 
On Saturday, December 14, St. Thomas Episcopal Church will once again host an outdoor Advent Garden at the Church’s Labyrinth. This activity for parish families, adults-of-all-ages, as well as the broader community is a chance to celebrate the holiday season and is an opportunity to remind ourselves about the arrival of light during a time of year known for long nights and darkness. Attendees may walk the Advent Garden or simply observe its beauty. Whichever way you decide, the Advent Garden has a quiet, meditative solemnity, providing children and adults a chance to reflect on the quiet, peaceful spirit of what can otherwise be a hectic holiday season.
 
There will only be one session to walk and experience the Advent Garden at 4:30pm.

We ask that attendees remain for the entire 45-minutes to hold the space. (Seats will be provided.)

As we approach the holidays, the Advent Garden reminds us of the light that shines within. Evergreen branches, lanterns, and candles 一 as well as tree logs adorned with figurines from St. Thomas' Godly Play curriculum 一 are arranged to form a large spiral, framing a walking path into the center of the Labyrinth. Accompanied by gentle classical music, walking the Advent Garden symbolizes the inward-turning we experience as the night grows longer. As each individual moves back out of the Labyrinth, they find a place for their own lantern to shine and leave it there. With reverence, each of us watches as the Advent Garden becomes brighter and brighter until it is glowing with warmth and light.
 
On Saturday, December 14, as day turns to night and surrounded by the beauty of St. Thomas’s grounds, children and adults will walk and experience the Advent Garden in silence. While simple, this is a profound experience and one we hope will bring peace to all during the holiday season.
 
Click here to reserve a spot for you and your family.

Also, following the Advent Garden, there will be an optional Holiday Community Dinner just down the hill in Heathcote Hall at 5:30pm --- with yummy food, hot cocoa, and singing of carols around the piano.