Martinmas

This week we are celebrating the festival of Martinmas. This festival celebrates St. Martin.

"St. Martin of Tours was born in 316 and died on November 11, 397. He is known as a deeply religious man who shared his cloak with a beggar and represents the attitude of brotherliness. According to old customs at this time, as the days become shorter and the stars appear earlier, children would walk with lanterns through the streets singing. As the world grows darker, the inner light of man wants to shine forth." – from Shepherd Valley Waldorf School

We began the celebration on Monday as I told the kids a story of St. Martin. This verse sums up beautifully the story I shared on this day:

St. Martin, St. Martin,

St. Martin road through wind and snow

On his strong horse his heart aglow

He rode so boldly through the storm,

His large cloak kept him well and warm.

By the roadside, by the roadside,

By the roadside a poor man arose

Out of the snow in tattered clothes

“I beg you help me in my plight

or else I’ll die of cold tonight.”

St. Martin, St. Martin,

St. Martin stopped his horse and drew

His sword and cut his cloak in two

One half to the beggar man he gave

And by this deed his life did save.

After I told the story, Grant and I drew a picture of St. Martin. Grant and Johanna also started learning a song for the lantern walk we will be taking on Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, I told a story about a boy who made a lantern to guard the last rays of Autumn Sunlight to help guide him through the dark season ahead. As it grows cold and dark, the warmth and light is deep inside us, hidden from sight. We also began making our lanterns. This year we used balloons and tissue paper to make the lanterns. The fun part was popping the balloons!

On Wednesday, the kids heard a fun Martinmas story from the book, "Festival of Stones. The Tales of Tiptoes Lightly" by Reg Down. Next, we finished our lanterns. After dinner we went on our Lantern Walk. Our lanterns glowed a rich orange, and we had a beautiful, clear evening for the walk.