The Lantern Walk Festival
Sunday, November 4, 2012
I walk with my little lantern,
My lantern walks with me
In heaven the stars are shining,
On earth my lantern shines too
In darkest night it guides my way,
Glow little lantern glow.
As the days grow shorter and the cold winds blow, children in Waldorf schools around the world prepare for their Lantern Walk. We begin to gather the light to guide us through the dark of winter. This light is kindled within and we also enjoy the outer lights that warm and comfort us--the sun, stars and moon, our lanterns, the fire glowing in the fire place, and the candle lit at the dinner table. The Bluebell children will be busy making their lanterns this week using glass jars and colored tissue paper. They will use paint brushes and glue to apply the pieces of tissue covering the glass jar. A tea light will be placed inside and beautiful star wire will be used to create a handle for the lanterns. It is always a special time in the kindergarten and is accompanied by our lantern circle that helps the children learn the lantern songs and creates the mood of this special festival of light. In circle we will join the little gnomes who carry their lanterns and gather seeds to bring to the Gnome King. The seeds will be cared for by Mother Earth all through the winter until the spring sunlight greets them once again. We so much look forward to walking with you by the light of our beautiful lanterns at 5:00pm on Saturday, November 10th.
My lantern, my lantern,
Shining near and far
Shining like a moon, shining like a sun,
Shining like a silver star.