Week 8: As winter is getting closer, we are moving into a season of darkness. Lantern walk is a way for us to bring light into our community in the darkness of autumn. Each child is using handmade lanterns with a tea light inside. Families gathered around the fire to keep warm while eating pumpkin bread and sipping hot apple cider.
We lit lanterns then walked along the path of the neighbor hood singing:
“I go outside with my lantern, my lantern goes with me
Above the stars are shining bright, down here on Earth shine we.
The cock does crow, the cat meows, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.
‘Neath heaven’s dome till we go home, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.
I go outside with my lantern, my lantern goes with me
Above the stars are shining bright, down here on Earth shine we.
So shine your light through the still dark night, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom
‘Neath heaven’s dome till we go home, la bimmel, la bammel, la boom.”
“Shine our light in the still dark night”. Lantern Walk stems from an old European tradition of St. Martin. Martin was a knight that came across an old beggar on his way home and used his sword to cut his robe in half to give to him. That night he dreamed that the beggar was actually his lord, the Christ. Martin then gave up his warring ways and became a servant to the people. He knew that if he served his people he would then serve the sacred in them.
A peaceful and gentle celebration of the light in the community around us.