homeschooling moon children

December 5th is always one of those days in Catholic School I cherished. Well the entire month of December is just magical from Advent to different Festivals in Winter the the most important the birth of Jesus. Many Festival Days are in place from ancient times for the shift in Nature and overtime tie into Saints to honor and remind us of the good character traits of what the spirit of Christmas is all about. I totally recommend “All Year Round” by Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton and Marike Rowling.

My Conversations leading up to St. Nicholas Day, were gentle in the Waldorf way of a 3rd Century Bishop who helped the needy. And became a saint after his death. I explained the good he did for a family with 3 daughter who had no dowry. (explaining a dowry and watching them as if they needed to give land when they get married was just great!!!) I explained to them how this holiday is huge in Europe where many of our ancestors came. And how it was important to polish our shoes, leave hay and a carrot for either the donkey/horse St Nicholas came with that night. I told them this isn’t a huge gift but something small something like a top, or tiny little doll, something to eat like oranges, nuts, spiced cake and even the delicious honey cake which we would make! I told them some kids even got a gold coin or maybe even a chocolate gold coin!! They were amazed and thought it was so nice that he cared for people.

With this story I had to explain of his companion that came with him like the trickster named “Ruprecht” and how he would help St. Nicholas know who the good and bad kids were. At this moment it saw them click and understand how the story of Christmas came to be. I thought quick and was like “Well see how Santa Claus makes it all around the world. Its because some kids just celebrate today and others Christmas but he changes his outfit to match what we believe. Girls: WOW!! Me in my head: thank god for thinking quick.

The girls left their boots outside with anticipation that tomorrow they would get something tiny and were beyond excited for this magical moment.

The next morning, 5:29am they woke up to a little mouse and orange in each of their boots. The girls were so excited and ate the orange before they would play. Later that day we made Honey Cake and the girls got to color a Coloring paper from CatholicFamilyCrate on Instagram.

The actual Feast day for St. Nicholas is December 6th. Some people leave boots out the night before like we did and others the night of December 6th.

Whatever you do I hope you and your kids enjoy the Magic of Christmas this year!

xx.
rosemary