Lantern Walk

The girls' school does a lantern walk for the youngest grades. The children all make their own lanterns, and then families come on the designated night to walk together by these little bobbing lights, carried by 5-8 year olds, singing songs under the stars.

I found this description of the tradition at the Waldorf School of Atlanta site:

Martinmas/Lantern WalkLantern Walk
November 11 marks Martinmas, in honor of a Roman soldier elevated to sainthood for his selfless kindness. Martin is the patron saint of the poor, beggars, outcasts, and the homeless. He is known for his gentleness, his unassuming nature, and his ability to bring warmth and light to those who were previously in darkness. On the evening of Martinmas, Martin’s deeds of goodness and acts of kindness are remembered with singing and a Festival of Lanterns. Children in kindergarten and the younger grades, together with teachers and families, carry handmade lanterns as they walk into the cold, dark evening. A story recognizing “the light” of another gives the children an experience of caring and sharing as we move toward the darkness of winter. The older grades may do outreach projects in celebration of the spirit of St. Martin.

I've never heard anyone at our school mention St. Martin (in the fields or otherwise), but the kids did hear a story told by their teacher (while the parents stood in the hallway and tried to stay quiet) before the walk. It really was lovely, and a beautiful clear night to boot. S. was a little un-calm and un-quiet, and her light even blew out at one point, but someone kindly re-lit it and we survived singing the same 3 songs about a million times (I think R has been traumatized by this part) in good spirits.

Again, I may sound the slightest bit mocking about this, but it's just to acknowledge tcynicismism of others. The fact is, I love traditions, and this one is very sweet and symbolic, and the poet in me just wants to take it all to another level and cry at all these little kids, bravely holding up their flickering lanterns in the cold air so that we can see our way to walk with one another, singing back the dark.