Events & Celebrations
Mystical Christmas Celebration Reflections
Our mystical Christmas celebration was another beautiful gathering. For those who weren’t able to make it, we missed you! Here’s a selection of one of the carols that Dan played for us after the ceremony.
1 Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child!
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
2 Silent night, holy night,
Darkness flies, all is light;
Shepherds hear the angels sing,
“Alleluia! hail the King!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.”
3 Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
4 Silent night, holy night,
Wondrous star, lend the light;
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born.
Lately we have been incorporating the children into active roles in the ceremonies more and more. It’s been very moving to see them learning about the Mysteries at such a young age while in the presence of loving adults.
As an aside, do you want to know a secret? The Christians didn’t steal Christmas from the pagans. They were celebrating the same thing. But both the Christians and the pagans seem to have forgotten this in our current world age. 😱
So anywho, we’re bringing back the Logos and the gnosis over here at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary!
Also, have you ever wondered what is the point of the ceremonies we do? Well, one of the reasons is to inspire you to ask questions and dig deeper.
Like… Why do we always walk “sunwise” (or clockwise) around the circle, and why do we call it “sunwise”? Why do we gather in a circle instead of a square? Why are there eight points around the circle, and one big stone in the center? Why do we bless the circle with Fire and Water, specifically?
Everything done in the ceremony has a purpose and a deep esoteric meaning meant to help us along the path of enlightenment. These are some of the types of topics we are exploring in our regular meet-ups. We’d love to have you join us!
We are planning to take a break however for the in-person meetups over January and possibly February (though I would like to do an Imbolc/Candlemas celebration). But please know that we have good things in the works and I will keep you posted on these!
Thank you so much for your ongoing support! It has been a year of increasing clarity and I am looking forward to bringing that into the new year with our events and programs.
Wishing you a Happy and Blessed New Year!
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
