St. Martin's Day and the Laternelaufen

Growing up, Halloween was never really a holiday that we observed. We lived in the country, with few other houses, so it couldn’t really be a neighborhood thing (somehow trick-or-treating with a car isn’t quite as thrilling), and so we would only occasionally dress up if we had an event to attend. And honestly, I’ve kind of taken that approach with our children so far. Partially because in the last few years they haven’t been old enough to enjoy it, and so I haven’t bothered. 

These facts made it all the more surprising to me when this year, nestled in this cozy, but admittedly halloween-less land, I really missed the festivities! I didn’t miss the tacky or gory decorations, but I missed seeing and savoring pumpkins on every stoop, and the candy corn, caramel corn, hot apple cider (essentially, the food), corn mazes, and hay rides. I think I counted a total of 4 carved pumpkins displayed outside various homes, and no costumes whatsoever! 

Halloween just isn’t a thing here.

But then, just when it seemed like this lovely autumn season was going to go by without any festivities, Laternelaufen happened. St. Martin’s Day is on November 11th, but Sebastian’s KiGa (Kindergarten) celebrated early with a Laternalaufen—literally “lantern walk”—on Tuesday evening.

No one knows exactly why this tradition is attached to St. Martin’s Day, but presumably it has to do with bringing light into the world through love and selfless giving to ones neighbor. St. Martin, a soldier, is remembered first for having given half his soldiers coat to a beggar in danger of freezing to death.

At first I thought this tradition was little observed in Germany, but I am quickly realizing that families, and communities, observe St. Martin’s Day with a fervor akin to our American Halloween. A holiday that brings a community together, lighting the way in a darkened world, and stopping along the way to sing about it? Now that’s a holiday I can get excited about! The children carry colorful lanterns with endless variations. Some homemade, some store bought, but all charming and vibrant.

Thanks, Germany, for restoring my faith in your holiday observances. I can’t wait to see what you do with Christmas!

Experiemnting with the settings on my camera on the way to the Laternelaufen. What a cute test subject, no?

Taking it all in just before the Laternelaufen began.

This little goof saw me trying to take a picture and started kicking up his heels.

Holiday | Easter

This Holy week was wonderful and exhausting, but also very exciting as we've been able to better explain to Sebastian what it all means. At our church's Maundy Thursday service, Cody washed Seb's feet, and thus taught Seb how Jesus washed his friends feet. On Good Friday, Sebastian went up the cross and helped his daddy place little white papers with our names on them at the foot of the cross, to symbolize us dying to ourselves. And of course, on Easter morning, we celebrated our risen King with Easter ties, jars filled with tasty treats, and lunch followed by an egg hunt at friend's house. And before bed and nap times this week, I read to Sebastian about the Last Supper, the crucifixion and Jesus' Resurrection.

Cody and I normally observe the Sabbath from sundown on Saturday to sundown on Sunday, so Easter started last night for us. We watched Easter Parade, which of course doesn't really have anything to do with Easter, but seems like a good tradition to us, and ate Easter treats. Since I'm still on my diet, I made these raw vegan brownies, which were absolutely delicious. I didn't have time to take a picture of them because, of course, I was eating them.

Happy Easter season, my friends! May you be blessed by our risen Lord Jesus.

P.S. Sebastian picked his Easter "basket" off the floor, but Bruno apparently had felt that it belonged to him, so he lunged towards Seb, grabbed him around the leg and growled. Ooo boy.

Holiday | Traditions at Easter

^^Seb's first Easter^^

It's so hard for me to sift through ideas about traditions, and decide what I want to do with my family. It's nice to have Pinterest to help, but seriously, the number of hot cross bun recipes in the world is just a little overwhelming.

Fortunately, The Pioneer Woman has come to our rescue. She has a heavenly looking recipe for hot cross buns, a tradition I can get behind. (Okay, and these look like a good idea, too) Nothing brings a family together like food, and in the years to come I hope it will spark discussion around our table and contemplation of the death of Christ.

For Easter morning, make these resurrection rolls for a perfect visual of the resurrection story and a tasty treat. I hope to have Seb help make these.

Dyeing Easter eggs seems to be a tradition that must be kept, though the thought of figure out how to dye them is daunting to say the least. Nevertheless, it's a great opportunity to create something beautiful and experience the idea of renewal and life coming from something lifeless—the resurrection of Jesus. Honestly, I highly doubt we'll actually get around to dyeing eggs this year, but if you do, these natural dye recipes look good.

And lastly, I thought this post over at This Whole Family was inspiring. I love how their family is seeking to make Easter simple on the consumerism side of things, but a treasured time of creativity, excitement and joy. I can't help but be a little jealous that they get to have an Easter egg hunt in their garden! Marvelous.

What Easter traditions are important to you? What would you recommend doing with a toddler to bring the meaning of Easter to life? I would love your input!