On November 11th, Martinmas brings light, warmth and kindness into the encroaching darkness of late autumn. This traditional feast, also called St. Martin’s Day, celebrates the feast of St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier from the 4th century that chose kindness and love over the fame and glory of war. This traditional celebration actually harkens back to medieval times, and was tied to honoring the end of autumn, giving thanks for harvests and preparing for the winter ahead.
In this article I’ll share how to celebrate Martinmas with kids in a susatinable and nature-connected way. I’ll start by introducing St. Martin of Tours, explain why Martinmas is a lovely seasonal celebration for families, and share earth-friendly lantern crafts and nature activities that honor St. Martin’s spirit of kindness.
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Born in Sabaria, Pannonia (modern day Szombathely, Hungary) in 316 or 336 AD, Saint Martin of Tours grew up in Northern Italy where he embraced Christianity at the young age of ten. In his youth, Martin was forced into the Roman army which caused deep inner conflict because of his faith. Eventually he refused to fight which landed him in prison for a short while. After being released, St. Martin de Tours became fully initiated into Christianity, founded a community of hermits, and was made a bishop in 371.
There are several stories that surround St. Martin of Tours, but one of the most well known is the story of Saint Martin and the Beggar.
Martin rode his stead into the biting winter wind, pulling his cloak tightly around his broad shoulders. As he passed through gates of Amiens in Northern France, fighting his way through the storm, he noticed a beggar lying on the side of the road. The poor man’s clothes were tattered and his whimpering cries were turned into mere whispers by the buffeting wind.
Moved by compassion, the young Roman soldier stopped by the man’s side, shrugged off his thick military cloak, drew his and sliced it in half. He carefully wrapped the shivering beggar in the piece of clock before continuing back to camp rattled by what he’d seen.
Later that night Martin slept fretfully, tossing back and forth on his hard soldier’s bed.. Eventually he fell into a deep sleep, only to see a vision of Jesus wearing a torn cloak, the very cloak he had given the beggar. Martin awoke from his dream with a sudden realization that he could no longer serve the Roman army, he would follow Jesus instead and serve those around him.
St. Martin became known as the patron saint of beggars, soldiers, tailors and France.
Martinmas originated in France, eventually making its way through much of Europe. In the Middle Ages, Martinmas celebrations were closely tied to harvest and thanksgiving festivals. Some even suggest that our modern day Thanksgiving finds its roots in Martinamas celebrations.
These days, Martinmas continues to be celebrated in Central Europe, especially by children and families.
In Flandre, northern Belgium, children search for St. Martin and his lost donkey by the light of lanterns. Traditionally these lanterns were made of beets but paper lanterns are more typical these days. When the children find St. Martin, he turns his donkey’s dung into sweet bread called follard.
In Germany, children process through streets while carrying paper lanterns and singing songs. Families enjoy feasts together, often eating with roasted goose (Martinsgans), red cabbage, dumplings and crescent rolls (Martinshörnchen) or almond horseshoe cookies. Bonfires are also popular on St. Martin’s eve.
Martinmas is also a common seasonal celebration in Waldorf Education. On this day children participate in a fall lantern walk while singing songs about light and kindness. These books offer more information about Waldorf Martinmas traditions.
Martinmas is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate kindness, warmth and light with children and doing it in a way that treads lightly on our planet honors St. Martin’s spirit of charity.
Celebrating Martinmas with the earth in mind, shows our children that kindness extends to all – our family, friends, community and all of nature. When celebrating Martinmas we can do this by making lanterns from recycled and natural materials and choosing sustainable activities rooted in nature and doing acts of kindness for those around and in nature.
fr from Crafting lanterns from reused glass jars, recycled paper, or eco-friendly materials embodies a dedication to caring that uplifts our friend, family, neighbors and the Earth.
Recycled glass jars make elegant lanterns that will last for many Martinmas celebrations. There are many ways to decorate recycled glass jars, but my favourites are tissue or kite paper, felt and/or pressed flowers.
Glue tissue paper or kite paper to a glass jar to create a lovely stained glass lantern effect. Younger children can try gluing squares of paper, while older kids might enjoy making patterns like trees, leaves, mushrooms or other nature inspired designs.
How to Make a Fall Leaf Mason Jar Lantern
Wet felt wool to glass jars to give lanterns a warm ethereal effect. Wet felting is a fun project for little hands but takes patience and persistence.
How To Make a Wet Felted Mason Jar Lantern
Attach pressed flowers to jars to add a touch of nature creating a botanically beautiful lantern. No pressed flowers? No worries. You can purchase pressed flowers online.
Paper lanterns are a popular choice for Martinmas lanterns because they’re quick and easy to make. Since paper and fire can be dangerous in the hands of little kids, I recommend using an electric tea light for paper lanterns.
Cut shapes in the sides of the recycled paper bags to make simple but sweet lanterns.
Use recycled paper scraps, balloons and flour paste to make magical paper mache lanterns.
Fold newspaper or other recycled papers shapes makes unique lanterns like this Waldorf paper start lantern, this dodecahedron start lantern or this pyramid lantern.
Another fun option to explore are lanterns made of fully natural materials that will easily decompose after use.
Carve turnip, squash or beets into lanterns honoring the spirit of Martimas in the Middle Ages when folks made lanterns from these food items.
Melt beewax to make beeswax bowl luminaries creating lanterns that have a soft glow and smell like honey! While these lanterns will break down quickly, they can also last a long time when properly stored.
One of the most enchanting ways to celebrate Martinmas is by going on a fall lantern walk in your yard or in nearby nature with the beautiful lanterns that you made with your children. For this nature activity, gather your family and friends and step outside as dusk begins to settle. The warm glow of the lanterns will illuminate the path ahead creating a magical atmosphere for all. During your walk, it’s common to sing songs and recite heartfelt poems about Martinmas.
Glimmer, Lantern, Glimmer
Glimmer, lantern, glimmer! Little stars a-shimmer
Over meadow, moor and dale flitter flutter elfin veil
Pee-wit pee-wit, tick-a-tick-a-tick, roo-coo-roo-coo.
Glimmer, lantern, glimmer! little stars a-shimmer
Over rock and stock and stone wander tripping little gnome
Pee-wit, pee-wit, tick-a-tick-a-tick, roo-coo-roo-coo
I Walk With My Little Lantern
I walk with my little lantern
My lantern, myself and I
Above, the stars are shining
Down here we’re stars to the sky
The new moon shines, the cat meows
Ay, ay, ay! La boom-a-la, boom-a-la bay!
Ay, ay, ay! La boom-a-la, boom-a-la bay!
Saint Martin
Saint Martin, Saint Martin, Saint Martin rode 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.”
Saint Martin, Saint Martin, Saint 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
Je porte ma laterne jolie (French song)
Je porte ma laterne jolie dans la nuit
Je porte ma laterne jolie une étoile me suit
La-la-la-la-la-la, ô bonheur
La-la-la-la-la-la dans mon coeur
Je porte ma laterne allumée, nuit bien aimée
Je porte ma laterne allumée, sous le ciel étoilé
La-la-la-la-la-la, ô bonheur
La-la-la-la-la-la dans mon coeur
Listen to this French song along with others in this article.
Song from asceticlifeofmotherhood.com – PDF available here.
If the weather permits, consider hosting a cozy family campfire right in your backyard. There’s something wonderfully about gathering around a crackling fire, enjoying delicious snacks like s’mores. As you sit together, take this opportunity to share stories about St. Martin, emphasizing themes of kindness and compassion. Each family member can contribute by sharing their favorite memories or experiences of kindness. You might even inspire your children to think of ways they can practice kindness in their own lives, whether at school, in the community, or at home.
Read aloud: The Lantern Prince by Sparkle Stories
Read aloud: A Lantern Tale by Twelve Little Tales
Unleash your creativity by making kindness stones. Gather smooth stones from nearby nature, and then set up a painting station with vibrant colors. Invite your children to paint uplifting messages or images that resonate with kindness, like a simple heart. Once the stones are dry, take a family outing to local parks and leave these beautiful creations for others to discover. Imagine the joy and surprise on someone’s face when they stumble upon a kindness stone during their walk!
Yes, enjoying a feast of Martinmas-inspired food is a nature activity! Traditionally, a roasted goose is eaten on Martinmas, but goose isn’t always accessible, so a roast chicken works as a great substitute. Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, beets and parsnips, roasted with herbs, are a lovely side dish while a hearty loaf of bread represents the season’s harvest. You could also bake traditional Martinmas horseshoe cookies or enjoy a warm apple cider to celebrate autumn’s bounty.
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