Lantern Walk - Celebration of St. Martin
Compassion, Kindness, Service
Celebrated by Early Childhood, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Grades.
Martinmas has been called the “festival of compassion” and is based on the story of St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier who abandoned his position of high rank and wealth to devote his life to serving the poor.
In early November, our Lantern Walk affirms symbolically that light can continue to shine even as the light and warmth of the sun are waning. Now light and warmth come more from our homes, and from the fellowship of friends and family. Carrying a light into the darkness in the company of others – as we do during the Lantern Walk – can be reassuring.
This festival invites us to follow the lantern light through the gathering darkness, joining with others who also have chosen the way of compassion.
The children at Early childhood, 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade make their own paper lanterns in their classrooms to carry for the lantern walk. These lanterns are a symbol of giving protection to our own little “flame” that was beginning to shine at Michaelmas, so that we may carry it safely through the dark world. It may only be a small and fragile light- but every light brings relief to the darkness.
This is a quiet, meditative celebration. Parents are asked to walk with their children and to help preserve the mood of the evening by joining in the singing and encouraging the children in reverence and calm.
Symbolism: Lanterns. Candles. Donating winter clothes. Warm food.
Song:
Glimmer, lantern, glimmer
Little stars a-shimmer
Over meadow, moor and dale
Flitter, flutter, elfin veil
Pee-wit, pee-wit, tikka-tikka-tik
Rucoo, rucoo.
Glimmer, lantern, glimmer
Little stars a-shimmer
Over rock and stock and stone
wander tripping little gnome.
Pee-wit, pee-wit, tikka-tikka-tik
Rucoo, rucoo.