Reformation Day Holiday Traditions

Inventing a Celebration

I’ve never had much use for Halloween. We didn’t celebrate it when I was growing up, substituting other family fun that day, and now I am simply turned off by the ugliness of the decor.

But give me a reason to celebrate, and I love inventing traditions! Most conveniently, Reformation Day also falls on October 31^st, so we use it as a day that varies the school routine, gives us an excuse to eat chocolate, and let the boys pick out their own gift. (I’m all about simplicity, since we also have an annual harvest party with lots of doughnuts around the same time!)

Several years ago we celebrated the 500^th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses to the Wittenberg Door, and I invented a last-minute holiday, because that’s how I naturally function. I don’t do elaborate crafts or costumes and my boys aren’t much into acting out stories, but you certainly could if your family enjoys such things.

Apparently it was a success, because they have asked to do it again.

Here are the traditions we have enjoyed:

1.      Chocolate for breakfast.

Because, really, is there any happier way to start the day? You could put good quality chocolates on each plate (Kinder eggs or Ferrero Rocher chocolates are always a hit here), or you could serve really rich hot chocolate with all the stir-ins and toppings.

2.      A day off of our usual routine.

Or a half-day. The day still totally counts because it’s educational, but as more of a class party (without bakery cupcakes).

3.      Remember the story.

I read a picture book biography about Martin Luther, and found a YouTube video of his life told in Playmobil. This is where you could have your kids act it out, if you choose.

4.      Eat traditional/cultural food.

We made homemade pretzels, since Luther was German, and gummy worms for the Diet of Worms, of course.

5.      Presents! What’s a holiday without a fun memento?

My last-minute inspiration was to give each child $5 for the five solas. They were thrilled. In order to receive the cash, they had to recite the five solas: sola Christus, sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, soli deo gloria. Some of them want to go spend it at the store right away; others prefer to save it. Either is fine with me. It’s less than I would spend on any other holiday.

Anything else?

After we had read through the story and watched a short video, my boys were done with the meaningfulness. Another thing I learned? DON’T OVERDO IT. Encourage a narration or discuss the major issues if you wish, but KEEP IT A HOLIDAY.

My boys may not remember every detail about Luther’s life, but they won’t forget the family celebration and asked to keep the traditions again this year. We could learn about other reformers or figures in church history, depending what is readily available.

Other ideas, depending on what you have available:

• Pin the Beard on the Reformer game
• Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula
• God’s Outlaw: The Real Story of Tyndale and the English Bible (graphic novel). Voice of the Martyrs.
• The Hawk that Dare Not Hunt by Day by Scott O’Dell
• The Bible Smuggler by Louise A. Vernon
• The Queen’s Smuggler (Trailblazer series) by Dave and Neta Jackson
• Torchlighters animated videos

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• A Review: Church History by Simonetta Carr
• A Review: Every year, beginning in October, I read a version of Pilgrim’s Progress to my boys. Here’s a review of Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen Taylor, illustrated by Joe Sutphin.
• A Resource: A Reformation Church History Book list
• A Resource: Homemade doughnuts, because we like to make them for our family Harvest Party

Elsewhere:

Looking for more ideas? Lisa at This Pilgrim Life has printables and more for Reformation Day.

What would you add to these?