by Jennifer M
(Currents November 2000, Children's Corner Column)

What do these three things have in common?

You may have joined us in Eppendorf in October for the lantern parade, and you may have noticed St. Martin's Day in November on your German calendar, and you might have heard that Wotan was the Germanic God of Wind and Weather. Well, you guessed it, these three things all have to do with fall and the beginning of winter in Germany.

The parade of lanterns in the fall symbolizes the preservation of light from summer and harvest time, carrying it into the darker seasons of fall and winter with us, not only externally but also internally. With the help of the lighted lanterns, we can find our way through the darkest season of the year, singing songs to help ward off our fears.

It was also on a cold, gray, windy November day when the knight Martin came across a beggar who was hungry and freezing at the city's gates. Martin did not have any money or food to give the beggar; instead he took off his coat, cut it in two, and gave half to the beggar to keep warm. That night, Jesus appeared to Martin wearing the same half-coat that Martin had given the beggar, and ever after Martin was a disciple of Christ.

And in earlier times, the people celebrated in honor of Wotan, the God of Wind and Weather. It is also said that Martin was wearing Wotan's coat when he met the beggar. And in his honor, people today eat Martinshörnchen (Little Horns of Martin) cookies, which are shaped like the horseshoes of Wotan’s horse. See the recipe below.

The festivals of lanterns and St. Martin Day on November 11, are great things to celebrate with children of all ages. Even the youngest of children enjoy walking through a dark forest, carrying a lantern to light the way and singing songs to ward off fears. Older children are able to recognize the significance of the St. Martin story — the symbolic coat, offering warmth and sympathy to our fellow human beings. In addition, most children can also appreciate the significance of sharing, as they themselves are faced with it each and every day.

    Ich geh' mit meiner Laterne     (I’m going with my lantern)
    und meine Laterne mit mir,     (And my lantern is going with me,)
    dort oben leuchten die Sterne,     (The stars are shining up above,)
    und unten leuchten wir.     (And we are shining down below.)
    Mein Licht ist schön     (My light is beautiful.)
    könnt ihr es seh'n     (Can you see it?)
    rabimmel, rabammel, rabumm.

    1/2 pound butter
    3/4 cup powdered sugar (plus more for coating)
    2 cups flour
    1 cup ground almonds or walnuts
    1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 300ºF (150ºC). Cream the butter, then add the powdered sugar, flour, nuts and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Shape with your fingers into delicate crescents, about 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide and thick. Roll in powdered sugar and bake on ungreased cookie sheets for about 12-15 minutes, until just faintly browned. Cool, then roll in more powdered sugar before serving.