The Feast of Saint Francis

The Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi is today, October 4th.  

Photo by Cindy Wallach with Permission

Legends of St. Francis describe him as a gentle and generous man who loved and protected animals. He was said to be able to connect religion with nature and find the Divine in all living things. What a beautiful concept to teach our children (and ourselves): "To find the Divine in all living things". 

Learning about Saints is a part of the second grade curriculum in Waldorf Education. Telling the stories of Saints and Heroes is a way to introduce the idea of a regular, imperfect human being transforming into something great. Many Christian faiths also celebrate the Saints, however; you do not have to come from a particular religious background to appreciate the sentiment and importance of helping children foster a love for animals and the natural world. 

Some ideas for you to celebrate this special time with the children this week:

- Volunteer at your local animal shelter

- Bake special treats for the animals you love

- Make pinecone bird feeders

- Create a wildlife journal and sketch and record all the animals you see 

- Go for a walk with a special pet

- Offer to help care for animals in your neighborhood

- Collect food and supplies for pets in need

- Attend an Animal Blessing held by a local place of worship

- Go birdwatching

- Put out a birdbath

- Start a pet sitting business

- Donate to an animal rescue foundation

- Consider becoming an animal foster family

What are ways that you help teach your children to respect and appreciate animal life?  One of our followers indicated that they do so by being a vegetarian family.  We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Happy St. Nicholas Eve!

Tonight St. Nicholas comes to many households and leaves small tokens and goodies in children's shoes that are left out.  Sometimes he leaves candies that look like gold coins, gum or apples and fruit.  Simple little things.  Nothing that requires much planning.

Will your children be leaving their shoes out for St. Nicholas tonight?  Is he the same man as Santa Claus in your home?

In addition to our Advent and St. Nicholas Festival E-Book, The Saint Nicholas Center is a beautiful website FILLED with ideas, stories, games and history on St. Nicholas to help you bring this beautiful tradition into your home and fill it with the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season.

And, as a special treat to you for today only:

Happy St. Nicholas Eve! 

What will St. Nicholas leave in your shoe?
Here's a little gift from Little Acorn Learning to YOU!

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Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL ST. Nicholas Weekend filled with family, love and peace.  We would love to hear about how you celebrate this beautiful ancient festival day.

xoxo

Martinmas

On November 11th we celebrate The Feast of St. Martin, otherwise known as Martinmas. St. Martin was said to be a man of peace and generosity. He did not want to fight but obeyed the law and served in the military as he was required to. He took the earnings he made as a solider and gave it to needy families. One story tells of how he cut his own cloak in half to warm a homeless beggar on the stree who was Christ in disguise. Martin of Tours is the patron saint of soliders.

In America, we also celebrate Veteran's Day this week. Let us take this time to allow the Spirit of Saint Martin to fill us with thoughts of peace, love and gratitude for soldiers of past and present wars.

Charity Idea in St. Martin's Honor:

This week gather food and items to donate to a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen in your area. If you are a childcare provider you can ask parents to donate clothes or cannded goods that you will deliver yourself. Older children can go with you to deliver the items or you can serve or cook at a local soup kitchen.

It is traditional in Waldorf circles to hold a lantern walk in celebration of Martinmas. Last week we made beautiful lanterns that we will use.

Keira's Third Grade Mass

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In third grade, the students at Keira's school choose a Saint that they would like to represent and then the children dress up as their Saint, lead the Friday morning mass and say a short speech on their chosen person. Keira chose Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. She did such an amazing job standing up and speaking - we were all so proud of her!

I used the video feature on my camera so its not the best quality...

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