Happy Epiphany!

At the turning point of time
The Spirit-light of the world
Entered the stream of earth existence.
Darkness of night
Had ceased its reign;
Day-radiant light
Shone forth in human souls:
Light
That gives warmth
To simple shepherds’ hearts;
Light
That enlightens
The wise heads of kings.

~Rudolf Steiner

‘The Epiphany’ celebrated on January 6th also goes by other names such as Three Kings’ Day, Twelfth Day, The Adoration of the Magi and Dia de los Tres Reyes among others. In many cultures, Christmas or the birth of Christ is actually celebrated on this day instead of December 25th. January 6th brings the ends of the holy days and twelve days of the Christmas season. It signifies the birth of the Light within us all and the resolution of our waiting and anticipation of the coming of the Sun and/or Son in our lives and in our world (Advent). It is a time of Truth, of Hope and of Finding the Light and ‘Christ’ within all of us. (~excerpt from our new Three Kings Day & The Epiphany Ebook)

Read this beautiful story to your children today (this is just one of SIX amazing stories we've included in our new Three Kings ebook to help you bring the Light of the Epiphany into your home or school)

The Holy Night

In the far-off places of the world where men do not pass often, it is nothing to be poor. Little Hansei and his mother were poor, but that was nothing to him. They lived on the side of a great hill, where, save their small black hut with its little gauzy curl of smoke, there was no sign of life as far as eye could reach. And it seemed to Hansei that the whole world was theirs, and they were the whole world. Yet on fair days, far below, the misty towers and steeples of a city showed. But this was as unreal and unreachable as dreams and clouds to Hansei; the only difference was, a yellow road wound down to it, and if one went far enough he might someday reach that strange, misty place. But dreams — they always went at morning; and clouds— if he climbed to the highest point of the hill he could never reach them!

Sometimes people had passed that way. Once a man had gone bearing a burden. Another time, as Hansei and his mother gathered up their fagots at evening, a man and woman passed together; the sunset light was on the woman, and she sang as she went. Again, men in dark robes and hoods passed by; some had ridden on mules; some were grave and walked, reading from small books, others laughed. And these were all (except a peddler who had lost his way) that Hansei had ever seen go by. People seldom went that way; the road was steep, and there was an easier way down at the other side, his mother said.

Once Hansei asked her if those who had passed were all the people there were besides themselves. His mother said, "There are others off there," pointing to the city.

Every morning before it was light Hansei's mother went away to the other side of the hills somewhere.

The first time he awoke and found the black loaf and water waiting and his mother gone, he had cried and searched and called her over and over. "Mother! Mother!" he had cried as loud as he could call down the yellow road.

"Mother! Mother!" had come a strange voice from beyond the hills; and Hansei's heart had leaped with a new joy. He cried back wildly, "Where are you?"

"Where are you?" cried the voice again.

"I am here!"

"I am here!"

"Come to me!"

"Come to me!"

All day Hansei and the strange voice from beyond the hills called and cried to each other. Hansei thought: "It is true there are others off there, and someone is calling to me."

At night the mother came back. Hansei asked: "Where have you been?" and put up his arms. His mother said: "At the other side of the hill," and touched his head gently.

"What did you do so long?"

"I made lace."

"What is lace?"

"It is like that a little," and she pointed to a cobweb stretching from a dead twig to a weed. Hansei looked and slowly put his foot through it.

"Must you go tomorrow and next day?" he asked.

"Next day and always," said the mother, looking off down the yellow road.

Hansei cried: "Let me go too; let me go!"

"Hush, no; it is dark where I go."

"Is there no sun at the other side of the hill?"

"Yes, yes; but we who make lace sit in darkness."

Hansei asked: "Why must there be lace?"

"The mother stared into the dusk. "Because," she said slowly, "there are princesses and great ladies down there who must be beautiful."

"What is beautiful?"

"I don't know."

Always through the dusky summer evenings they sat together on the doorstep, the mother with her bent head resting on her hand, and Hansei staring up at the great sky and clouds and stars above him. Sometimes the mother told strange stories, but oftener they sat silent.

When winter came it seemed to Hansei that half of all the joy and light and life went out of the world. There were no birds nor bugs nor bees left; the flowers were gone, and the days were short and gray. It was cold, and he could only stay in the dim little house, playing with small sticks and stones, or tracing the frostwork on the one little window. Frost was like lace, his mother had told him.

Sometimes, too, he would try to sing as the woman had sung who passed that summer time. One evening in the middle of winter Hansei and his mother started out to a bit of woods skirting the other side of the yellow road. Hansei sang as they went; it was half what the woman had sung and half like nothing that was ever heard. Sometimes this tune made his mother smile a little, but oftener she did not hear it.

As they crossed the yellow road his mother stopped and looked, as she always did. "Hark!'' she said, hushing the singing with her hand. Hansei stood still and listened.

Yes, yes, they were coming—"the others."

It sounded again as it had the day the men had ridden by, only more — more; and they were coming nearer.

There were voices and the beat of footsteps, and sometimes Hansei heard a strange sound that might be singing or wind moaning.

Hansei said: "I am so afraid." But his mother did not hear him. He hid his face in her gown and waited. They were coming on and on; and they were saying something together,— strange words that Hansei had never heard. Nearer and nearer! He felt them passing close where he and his mother stood; he raised his head and looked.

He saw a long dark line of men, some riding and some walking. Their heads were bent, and they said the strange words together. Sometimes there was a burst like song, then the words again.

There was one torch. Slowly they made their way down the yellow road. Hansei and his mother watched them as they went.

He whispered, "Where are they going?"

"Down there," said the mother softly. "It is the Christ-child's night."

"Why do they go?"

"To pray."

"What will they ask?"

"Light! light!"

"Can all go?"

"Yes, all."

"Let us go, Mother; let us go! There is a voice down there that calls me often."

The mother looked back at the little dark house, then down the road where the one point of light moved on. "Come, let us go; let us follow it," she said, taking his hand and hurrying down the steep way in the darkness.

Through the long, wild night they toiled on and on. Always the little light went before, and always Hansei and his mother followed where it led.

Once Hansei cried out: "See, Mother, the torch is the star, and we are the shepherds seeking the little Christ-child!" And he laughed.

In the gray dawn they came to the misty city. "How strange! how strange!" thought Hansei, as they went down the narrow streets. "How many houses, and lights, and people! But the real light, the little star, we must not lose it."

Just before them went the dark line of men and the torch. People who met them stepped aside and always made strange signs on their breasts. Suddenly the light went out, and the men disappeared into what seemed a great shadow.

Hansei asked: "What is it?"

His mother said: "A church."

"Let us go in, too; the star went;" and Hansei, with all his strength, pushed back the great door.

"People! people!" little Hansei had not dreamed there were so many of "the others."

There in the dim light they were kneeling, praying for "light, light," his mother had told him.

Far beyond there were small lights, like stars shining, and a man in a white robe, who said the strange words he had heard on the yellow road. Then the kneeling people all said something together.

Hansei thought, "They are trying to tell him they want the light, and he does not understand."

Hansei's mother knelt where she stood, and he crept down beside her. He heard her saying the words he did not know. He only said softly: "Light, light for them all!"

An old woman knelt near him; not far off a lame boy and a mother with a sleeping child in her arms knelt also, and there beyond, a woman.

Ah, he knew what "beautiful " was now! He looked to see if she wore lace like cobwebs and frost.

She did not pray; she only knelt there. Tears were in her eyes. "Light for her and all," whispered Hansei over and over.

Then it was as if a dream came true. Some one that had stood near stepped back, and there, there beyond, appeared the little Christ-child, just as his mother had told him. There was the beautiful mother, the wise men and angels, the youth, the maiden, and the light shining from the child and touching them all, all, even the poor little beasts off there!

Hansel cried: "Look, look, Mother! the Christ-child!"

His mother said, "Hush-hsh! It is not the real Christ-child, but a picture."

Hansei looked back. "Not the real Christ-child? But, Mother, the star stopped here! Then the real Christ-child is here somewhere, I know."

He looked about, but he saw only the old woman, the lame boy, the mother with her child, and the beautiful woman who could not pray.

He turned back to the painted child and the light, and looked, and looked; he stared his eyes blind; at last he could not see; all seemed to fade, to go.

The tired eyelids fell; his head drooped down on his mother's arm, and he slept. But his eyes still held the light, and he dreamed.

It seemed to him that the beautiful pictured light grew and broadened into a great shining. "Surely," thought the little boy, "the real Christ-child is near! but where? not here; here is only the old woman and the lame boy and the others praying. But the great light— shining over all, above every head, in shining rings! How beautiful!"

And he thought he cried out, "See, you have the light, all of you! Do not pray, but be glad!"

They did not hear, and prayed on.

"But the Christ-child—where is the real Christ-child?" he wondered.

He thought he stood up and strained his eyes over the bent heads of the praying people, and while he looked he saw myriad circles of light begin to glow; and lo! there, near—so near—was the real Christ-child,—only it was the old woman.

Dreams are strange!

Her bent, trembling body seemed going, fading, and there knelt a shining being,—the real Christ-child; yet it was the old woman.

And the lame boy, the hurt creature, as he looked, melted into the shadow of his radiant, perfect self, and shined too.

The mother with her child grew bright, bright; and each of the kneeling, praying ones was a perfect shining child!

The light grew into glory; the fullness of joy broke into singing; angels, heavenly hosts, singing, "The Christ is here,— here in the world!"

But what—? Who—? Why, his mother, to be sure, leaning above him. "Wake, Hansei; hear the music! See the choir boys in white, like angels."

Hansei opened his eyes wide. The glorious Christmas morning was beaming full upon him through the great window, and he saw the light of the new day touching the bent old woman, the lame boy, the mother with her child, the beautiful woman beyond, and the pictured Christ.

He heard clear voices, "Peace on earth!" But the dream—the dream! "I have found the real Christ-child," he whispered.

~~~~

Have you? Look within.

~ Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men

xoxo

Little Acorn Learning

Christmas Came...

And we were Merry!

Hope you were too!

Happy Holidays from our Family to Yours! xoxo

Maia's Class Celebrations

My little dimple girl, Maia. She is so happy in her school and I am happy for her. She loves all of her friends and her music class.

The music teacher held a holiday concert. The children were all dressed up like toys and they were sooo cute. Maia is lucky to have her cousin Natalia in the same class (both of the girls share the same last name too).

This is one of Maia's best friends in her first grade class. The girls are both such sweet and quiet little girls.
 

I love being one of her room moms and having the privilege of organizing class parties and being a part of it all. At this party (which happened to be after the play), I read the class the story of The Mitten by Jan Brett. It is one of our family's favorites especially this time of year. We then made a cute mitten craft with the children.

Its so important to me to be involved with my children's school and activities. I also lead their Girl Scout troops and while it can be a lot to do at times, I am thankful I am able to spend so much time with them in peer environments. And in each case, I have seen so many wonderful things about the particular social groups they are a part of. And it gives me peace of mind when I wonder about the choices I have made for them with their education.

They are doing just fine.

And they are happy. :)

Beeswax Christmas Scene

When I first began working with beeswax in my little school, I really didn't know what to do with it.

We'd get frustrated warming it with our hands as little children do not often have the patience to wait as long as older children and adults do.

Then we weren't really sure what do even do with it. The children would make little balls or snakes but our creativity stopped there.

Then I learned a few 'tricks' including warming our wax in hot water before we began. I prefer to warm it in hands but when working with a large group of children it can become daunting so this was my compromise and it was wonderful!

Then my older daughters and I started thinking outside-of-the-box a little. What was this week's theme? What holidays were approaching? How can we make something a bit more meaningful for our nature display using this wonderful medium?

Boy have we come a long way! This year we've enjoyed making beautiful little pumpkins for harvest time.

We also made a wonderful Spooky Halloween Scene together.

We also had fun making pretty Beeswax Suns to celebrate the Summer Solstice.

Here is an older post on my frustration with working with beeswax with children.

Now we are having so much fun and our scenes are becoming more and more involved.

Each child who visits my home helps in some way. The older girls doing the more detailed work and the younger ones forming balls or other shapes that we can accessorize in some way.

I would love to see ideas that others have come up with working with beeswax modeling material.

Please feel free to leave a link to a blog post or photo of any creations you've made!

Happy Holidays!

Busy Little Elves

The Elves and The Shoemaker

~The Brothers Grimm

There was once a shoemaker, who worked very hard and was very honest: but still he could not earn enough to live upon; and at last all he had in the world was gone, save just leather enough to make one pair of shoes.

Then he cut his leather out, all ready to make up the next day, meaning to rise early in the morning to his work. His conscience was clear and his heart light amidst all his troubles; so he went peaceably to bed, left all his cares to Heaven, and soon fell asleep. In the morning after he had said his prayers, he sat himself down to his work; when, to his great wonder, there stood the shoes all ready made, upon the table. The good man knew not what to say or think at such an odd thing happening. He looked at the workmanship; there was not one false stitch in the whole job; all was so neat and true, that it was quite a masterpiece.

The same day a customer came in, and the shoes suited him so well that he willingly paid a price higher than usual for them; and the poor shoemaker, with the money, bought leather enough to make two pairs more. In the evening he cut out the work, and went to bed early, that he might get up and begin betimes next day; but he was saved all the trouble, for when he got up in the morning the work was done ready to his hand. Soon in came buyers, who paid him handsomely for his goods, so that he bought leather enough for four pair more. He cut out the work again overnight and found it done in the morning, as before; and so it went on for some time: what was got ready in the evening was always done by daybreak, and the good man soon became thriving and well off again.

One evening, about Christmas-time, as he and his wife were sitting over the fire chatting together, he said to her, ’I should like to sit up and watch tonight, that we may see who it is that comes and does my work for me.’ The wife liked the thought; so they left a light burning, and hid themselves in a corner of the room, behind a curtain that was hung up there, and watched what would happen.

As soon as it was midnight, there came in two little naked dwarfs; and they sat themselves upon the shoemaker’s bench, took up all the work that was cut out, and began to ply with their little fingers, stitching and rapping and tapping away at such a rate, that the shoemaker was all wonder, and could not take his eyes off them. And on they went, till the job was quite done, and the shoes stood ready for use upon the table. This was long before daybreak; and then they bustled away as quick as lightning.

The next day the wife said to the shoemaker. ’These little wights have made us rich, and we ought to be thankful to them, and do them a good turn if we can. I am quite sorry to see them run about as they do; and indeed it is not very decent, for they have nothing upon their backs to keep off the cold. I’ll tell you what, I will make each of them a shirt, and a coat and waistcoat, and a pair of pantaloons into the bargain; and do you make each of them a little pair of shoes.’

The thought pleased the good cobbler very much; and one evening, when all the things were ready, they laid them on the table, instead of the work that they used to cut out, and then went and hid themselves, to watch what the little elves would do.

About midnight in they came, dancing and skipping, hopped round the room, and then went to sit down to their work as usual; but when they saw the clothes lying for them, they laughed and chuckled, and seemed mightily delighted.

Then they dressed themselves in the twinkling of an eye, and danced and capered and sprang about, as merry as could be; till at last they danced out at the door, and away over the green.

The good couple saw them no more; but everything went well with them from that time forward, as long as they lived.

St. Nicholas Treats

The Feast of St. Nicholas(as taken from the December 5 Day Guide from Little Acorn Learning)

In celebration of Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th, give a gift to someone anonymously with the children this week. You may do this by leaving a box of cookies for a neighbor or by donating a something to someone in need.

You can also display a photo of the saint on your nature table this week. Be sure to enjoy a special dinner with your family that evening and light your Advent Wreath. For more fun ideas and information on the saint, visit http://www.stnicholascenter.org/

Christmases Past and Present

As the years go by, decorating the tree is like uncovering a box of memories.

There are also ornaments from so many years of ornament decorating parties - a tradition we started with dear friends and our children. Each year we get together right before Christmas and make handmade ornaments with each other. The children write their names and the date on their ornaments and now, each year, they love opening up their own special box and talking about each ornament and the parties we enjoyed doing so.

And every year, it is a tradition in our family for all four of our girls to decorate the tree together. We also really love to include our pets :)

The girls get to hear my story every Christmas about this one walnut ornament I still have from when I was a Brownie Girl Scout back in 1981-82. I remember making it and how cool I thought it was. And I think its even cooler now that it lasted almost 30 years. That's one tough walnut!

As I look at all of our years of memories together on one tree... I can't help but feel a little bit sad. I miss so many of those wonderful Christmases past. I miss the baby smell and giggles... I miss the youth of our life together.

But I am also filled with such gratitude and joy... and anticipation of what is to come.My family laughs at me because I already speak about my grandchildren that I've yet to know. I can see them filling my home with laughter and joy... I can picture myself sharing these precious moments once again with young children whom I love so very much.

I imagine my house full of the same beautiful people many years from now... with more little beautiful people to come.

And my sadness turns to Joy once again.

And that is what is so beautiful about this wonderful season.

I will never EVER remember the presents I had under my tree.

But I will never EVER forget...

the LOVE I had in my home.

xoxo