Girl Scout Peacelight Ceremony

The girls attended a Peacelight Ceremony at the chapel on post tonight.  I hate to admit that this is something that we would not have attended if it weren't for the fact that the girls will receive a girl scout patch for attending.  For those who do not know what a Peacelight Ceremony is, please keep reading:

At the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, Israel, an oil lamp has burned continuously for centuries. This is the Peace Light flame. Since 1986, a youth from Austria has traveled each year to Bethlehem in the Middle East to light a flame from this one that burns at the birthplace of Jesus. The flame then traveled to Austria where it was distributed to delegations of Scouts from across the world. The Peace Light was then taken by Scouts to their home countries as a bright symbol of peace and unity during the holiday season.  The Heidelberg local Cub Scouts traveled to Austria to bring a flame back. Every Scout brought a candle to the ceremony.   And yes, this ceremony was as boring as it sounds.  Maybe more.  I hope the patch was worth it!!

Leena with Ava and Makenzie.

Taryn and Kaylee wait for the ceremony to begin.

The Daisys were asked to sing "Away in a Manger".  They quickly realized that the girls did not know the words, so they asked for others to join in.

This is the final group that "sang" "Away in a Manger".

Surprisingly enough, at the end of the ceremony, this same group was asked to come up and sing Silent Night in English and then again in German.  Taryn is in the front row in a pink dress and silver boots.  Leena is in the center of the second row.  Here is the English version...

And here is the German version (in case you can't tell the difference)....

Leena with her lanturn and flame burning inside.  They asked that we take the flame home, share it with family and neighbors, and keep it burning through the Christmas season.  Yeah, right.  This flame was extinguished the minute we got to the car.

Taryn with her flame and lanturn.