St. Martin's Day in Germany

In Europe, St. Martin's Day is the most popular of all saints' days, especially with children. The arrival of St. Martin is celebrated by entire towns and his departure is a day of gifts and feasts.

The story told is that St. Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier born around 316 AD in Hungary. As a soldier, he rode with the Roman army. He and his soldiers were once at the gates of the city of Amiens during a terrible snowstorm when a freezing beggar appeared. Martin took his sword, cut his military cloak in half and gave it to the man. That night, Martin dreamed that Jesus was wearing the garment. During his dream, he heard Jesus tell the angels "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized, he has clad me." When Martin woke his cloak was once again whole. He then turned to Christianity becoming baptized and eventually a monk, living many years in solitude. He was recognized for his kindness and a humble manner.

He was a modest man and when he was proposed to become Bishop of Tours, he hid in a barn to avoid the honor. A flock of geese gave his hiding place away with their gabbling and he was appointed Bishop. Today, the goose is associated with St. Martin and enjoyed during the feast of St. Martin in December.

The celebration of St. Martin has many seasonal correlations. It marks the end of the agrarian year, the beginning of harvesting, the start of carnival and the end of all souls period that starts November 1st on All Saints' Day. The holiday began in France and then spread to Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

In Germany, children prepare for the arrival of St. Martin by making paper lanterns. St. Martin arrives to towns at dusk on a big horse named Shimmel. All the children gather with their lit lanterns and parade through town behind him singing songs in his honor.

Ich geh mit meiner Laterne Und meine Laterne mit mir. Dort oben leuchten die Sterne,
Hier Unten, da leuchten wir. Mein Licht ist aus, Wir gehn nach Haus,
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum!

"I'm coming with my lantern, and my lantern with me; There, over the light are the stars,
Here, under the light are we; My light is out, We're going home.
Rabimmel, rabammel, rabum!"

A large bonfire burns at the procession's end and children enjoy sweets while grown-ups drink hot mulled red wine with sugar. After a short while everyone disperses. The grown-ups return home and the children walk door to door with their lanterns, sing songs and are rewarded with treats or geld (money).

It is fabled that St. Martin stays until December 5th. On this night, children leave shoes near their fireplaces filled with hay and carrots for St. Martin's horse. The next morning, if they have been good, they awake to find sweets and presents in place of the hay and carrots. This day, December 6th, is the feast of St. Martin and is celebrated at home with family, friends, feasts and festivities. Gifts are exchanged and the goose that gave St. Martin away becomes a traditional meal.

The anticipation of St. Martin's arrival is an exciting time for children and the parade of lanterns is a beautiful seasonal celebration that marks the change of time and light. The hot mulled red wine is delicious and the celebration of St. Martin's Day is a unique way to enjoy a German holiday tradition.