St Martin

Traditionally, the 11th of November is St Martins Day in Germany.
All over Germany, reinactings of the story of St Martin, who shared his coat with a needy man in the midst of a snowstorm to save him from dying in a dark and cold winters night( Thanks Kimber, I stole some of your wording ;)), take place.

The kids walk through the streets singing St Martins songs, carrying their laterns to bring light in the dark.
Stella got to make her own little lantern this year at kindergarten.She was so proud of it cause she had only one day to finish the job , due to her absence from kindergarten for such a long time ( I´m so thanksful that my little Stellamaus is finally feeling better) and it turned out pretty good.

I had a battery operated light stick for her, but no, Ms Stella wanted a REAL candle and she did great. We watched the Martins play in Neulussheim with lots and lots of people. Stella was mainly interested in the horse, which was part of the play. Afterwards the kids had Martinsbrezeln and enjoyed playing in the dark with their friends

Stella with her friends Lelia and Linea

This is the song telling the story of St Martin:
St. Martin

St. Martin, St. Martin, St. Martin ritt durch Schnee und Wind,
sein Roß, das trug ihn fort geschwind.
St. Martin ritt mit leichtem Mut,
sein Mantel deckt ihn warm und gut.

Im Schnee, da saß ein armer Mann,
hatt' Kleider nicht, hatt' Lumpen an:
"Oh helft mir doch in meiner Not, sonst ist der bitt're Frost mein Tod!"

St. Martin, St. Martin, St. Martin zieht die Zügel an,
sein Roß steht still beim braven Mann.
St. Martin mit dem Schwerte teilt
den warmen Mantel unverweilt.

St. Martin, St. Martin, St. Martin gibt den halben still,
der Bettler rasch ihm danken will.
St. Martin aber ritt in Eil
hinweg mit seinem Mantelteil.