St. Martin's Day

The children and I enjoyed another new cultural experience this week, St. Martinstag (St. Martin's Day). On Monday evening we gathered in the village center to hear the story of St. Martin. It was dark and the children had all of their homemade lanterns (yes, I made Wils' lantern), lit with real candles (the fire department was here-just in case), then a rider on a horse appeared and the story of St. Martin was acted out (see legend below). After the story we were led around the village by “St. Martin” and his horse, with the kindergarten teachers playing their guitars, singing songs about St.Martin. It felt like Christmas caroling as we walked on into the chilly night, although we were not singing carols about baby Jesus. But it was fun nonetheless and of course, they served food afterwards..... wurst, wafflen, heiss kinder-punch, gluwien, usw. (und so weiter - same as 'etcetera'). No pictures, I'm sorry , IT WAS DARK!!!

The legend of St. Martin:
Martin was a knight who lived in the 4th Century. The legend states that one night, he was entering a city when he saw a begger, who looked very cold. Out of pity, the knight drew his sword and clove his cloak in two, giving half to the beggar. That night, Martin had a dream (or vision) where Jesus appeared to him and said " I was the one you gave a piece of your cloak to. you are a good man, Martin, so one day you will become a Bishop."

Martin later became the Bishop of Tours, France (and there was something about some geese being involved in that ... but that would have to be subject of a different 'blog entirely).