All across our diverse world this holiday season many people will celebrate their festivals of light. It might be Christmas, Eid, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, Posada or Diwali. In Sweden, the girls may dress as St. Lucia and sing with the star boys. In France, the tots may anxiously await the appearance of the lithe and light hearted Pere Noel with his gifts in tow. While at Thailand's Loi Krathong lil boats bob along a luminous waterway. In Brazil, Iemanja gets a drum serenade with candles ablaze in the sand by the sea. In Holland, children hold lanterns as they sing:
Saint Martin once saw a beggar
Who needed some food and some clothes
So he ripped his cape in two pieces
And eased some of the beggar’s woes.
Martin, Martin
He always helped those in need, in need
Martin, Martin
He was a saint, yes indeed!
This season, someone, somewhere out there will gladly pronounce you a saint when you give them a ray of hope by feeding them, clothing them, quenching their thirst, or giving the gift of an education. For ideas on how to start your own yearlong festival of light in the life of a child, please visit
The Giving Tree at http://www.stelmosfire.org/giving-tree.html
Saint Martin once saw a beggar
Who needed some food and some clothes
So he ripped his cape in two pieces
And eased some of the beggar’s woes.
Martin, Martin
He always helped those in need, in need
Martin, Martin
He was a saint, yes indeed!
This season, someone, somewhere out there will gladly pronounce you a saint when you give them a ray of hope by feeding them, clothing them, quenching their thirst, or giving the gift of an education. For ideas on how to start your own yearlong festival of light in the life of a child, please visit
The Giving Tree at http://www.stelmosfire.org/giving-tree.html
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17 NASB