Martinmas

Snow and frost on St. Martin’s Day, November 11, were once welcomed as Martin’s own blessing. His feast day comes about the time of the year that winter announces itself. So Martin is sometimes depicted as “Old Man Winter,” or “Furry Martin.” Martin most often though is depicted as a soldier.

Legend tells us that Martin was a Roman centurion and when he was riding his horse one snowy day and he met a beggar. Martin didn’t have anything to give the beggar so he cut his cloak (coat) in half and gave have to the beggar. The story goes on to tell us that Martin had a dream that night and in the dream Christ appeared to him and he was wearing the half cloak Martin had given the beggar.

That revelation led to Martin’s becoming a Christian. He went through a lot of red tape to then leave the army as a “conscientious objector.” To be a “conscientious objector” means that a person is listening to his or her conscience telling them it is wrong to fight in wars. Martin felt that since he was a Christian it was not lawful for him to fight. He would from now forward be a soldier for Christ.

There are many traditions associated with St. Martin’s Day. The day is celebrated on the evening of November 11 in a small part of Belgium (mainly in the east of Flanders and around Ypres). Children go through the streets with paper lanterns and candles, and sing songs about St. Martin. In Germany there are widespread bonfires and the children here too go through the streets carrying paper lanterns and candles. In the Netherlands the children go door to door with the paper lanterns singing songs hoping to receive candy in return, similar to trick or treating in the United States. In Sweden St. Martin's Day is a celebration of the goose. In early November, geese are ready for slaughter, and on St. Martin's Eve, November 10, it is time for the traditional dinner of roast goose.

One way to celebrate St. Martin’s Day is to make horse-shoe shaped cookies. Roll the cookie dough to a ¼” thick and cut it into strips ½” x 6”. Then on a cookie sheets curve the strips into horseshoe shapes (like the letter U). Press sliced almonds into the dough and bake for 15 minutes at 325°.
(from Take Me Home, LTP 1991)