St. John’s Festival – Primary School

In winter, and the end of the second school term, we traditionally celebrate St John’s which astronomically marks the winter solstice – the longest night and the beginning of lengthening days and shortening nights. Named for John the Baptist (the prophet Yahya in the Quran), Anglican, Lutheran and Catholic liturgical calendars alike placed St John’s birth date as 24 June, six months before Christmas. A Jewish travelling evangelist in the early first century AD, it is generally accepted that he baptised Jesus. Revered as a major religious figure in Christianity, the Baha’I Faith, Islam, amongst others, he called upon mankind to cultivate inner light and warmth.

This is a time when our children craft lanterns for the festival ceremony and intentionally spend time kindling their own inner light, warmth and courage.