Dear Shepherdstown families,

Happy St. Nicholas Day eve! This is a festivity celebrated in the Waldorf early childhood classes, and it is especially charming how the children delight in the golden decorated walnuts they receive in their slippers! I’m including a link to the Farmers Almanac explanation of this widely celebrated European holiday, as follows: *https://www.almanac.com/st-nicholas-day*.

This second week of Advent begins with St Nicholas Day and ends with St Lucia’s Day, a uniquely Scandinavian Christmas celebration many of you might have seen mentioned in books or international news. On December 13, young girls bring special saffron buns to their families and neighbors in the morning with candles in a wreath on their heads. (I’m sure these days, any child can be Lucia, but the roles for boys were as star boys who accompanied Lucia as she walked, singing songs.) Here’s a link to the Swedish celebration, most widely known since the Nobel prize laureates are serenaded by Lucia and her train upon receiving their prizes: *https://sweden.se/collection/celebrating-the-swedish-way/article/lucia/*

We hope you will be able to join us on January 2 for our winter spiral. It will be good weather to be outdoors at Morgan’s Grove as the sun sets and evening begins from 4 until 5. We will have music for a couple of songs and then more reflective music during our lighting ceremony. When you have an idea of whether you can make it, try to let us know beforehand. We will make the evergreen spiral with decorations and golden stars.

Join us for a Children’s Candlelit Spiral on Jan. 2, 2021

All you need to bring is an apple with a white tapered candle inside for each person who wishes to bring their light to the spiral pathway. Add a few sprigs of holly and evergreen. (Be sure the apple can balance on its end.)

Looking forward to seeing you! See the following instructions on making an apple candle and other crafts for young children during the holidays. See below for songs for our winter spiral.

Crafts for young children for the holidays

With love and light,

Catherine Falknor