For some reason this Lent feels different to me than in years past.
I think the tone for me was set this year by our Ash Wednesday Kids' Service, which is so joyful and inspiring for me. We start by burning last year's palms and sing songs and tell stories and talk about Lent with Baptism as the backdrop. Lent as a time to think about how to live out those baptismal promises; the ashes as a reminder of the cross etched on our foreheads with oil during our baptism - a reminder that we are children of God.
And then last week I went to the Seminary for a Lenten Quiet Day, led by VTS Professor Kathleen Staudt using the writings of Evelyn Underhill. One of the readings that really stuck with me was from Underhill's book The Spiritual Life. Writing about the Lord's prayer, she said: "To say day by day 'Thy Kingdom Come'—if these tremendous words really stand for a conviction and desire—does not mean “I quite hope that some day the Kingdom of God will be established, and peace and goodwill prevail. But at present I don’t see how it is to be managed or what I can do about it.” On the contrary, it means, or should mean, 'Here am I! Send me!'—active, costly collaboration with the Spirit in whom we believe." Which led me to start thinking about how I can spend the season of Lent (and beyond) opening myself up to being "sent."
My kids, especially my oldest, are interested in Lent this year as well, so we've been thinking of ways to observe Lent together.
Here are some ideas that we've come up with -- I'd love to hear ideas that others have that work with kids:
Talk about why people give up things or take on new things during the season of Lent. Think about what you might give up or take on, either as a family or individually. Children might give up desserts or TV or a certain toy (even for one day a week). You might take on reading a Bible story before bed, or praying together as a family, or trying to do something extra kind to someone every day.
Think about how your family might be able to serve people in the community. Sign up to provide a meal at a local shelter or make a donation of food. Make colorful cards for shut-ins or people who don’t receive many visitors at a local senior center.
Share a “poverty meal” of one or two basic foods once a week (beans and rice, or soup and bread, for example). Talk about people who have even less to eat all year round. Give the amount of money you save by having these meals to a community food bank.
Create a Lenten centerpiece that helps you count down to Easter. One idea is to take a bare branch and tape a homemade leaf each day of Lent. Each day brings us a little closer to the “living” branch at Easter, when you could attach paper blossoms or butterflies to the tree.
Ask each family member to be responsible for a prayer before meals for one week of Lent. (My kids have been making up songs and playing instruments for some very interesting new graces!)
Look for signs of new life. Take your children out and look for buds, new leaves, bugs and worms. Each week, you’ll see the world waking up more and more after its winter sleep.
May this season be a time of blessing for you!
I think the tone for me was set this year by our Ash Wednesday Kids' Service, which is so joyful and inspiring for me. We start by burning last year's palms and sing songs and tell stories and talk about Lent with Baptism as the backdrop. Lent as a time to think about how to live out those baptismal promises; the ashes as a reminder of the cross etched on our foreheads with oil during our baptism - a reminder that we are children of God.
And then last week I went to the Seminary for a Lenten Quiet Day, led by VTS Professor Kathleen Staudt using the writings of Evelyn Underhill. One of the readings that really stuck with me was from Underhill's book The Spiritual Life. Writing about the Lord's prayer, she said: "To say day by day 'Thy Kingdom Come'—if these tremendous words really stand for a conviction and desire—does not mean “I quite hope that some day the Kingdom of God will be established, and peace and goodwill prevail. But at present I don’t see how it is to be managed or what I can do about it.” On the contrary, it means, or should mean, 'Here am I! Send me!'—active, costly collaboration with the Spirit in whom we believe." Which led me to start thinking about how I can spend the season of Lent (and beyond) opening myself up to being "sent."
My kids, especially my oldest, are interested in Lent this year as well, so we've been thinking of ways to observe Lent together.
Here are some ideas that we've come up with -- I'd love to hear ideas that others have that work with kids:
Talk about why people give up things or take on new things during the season of Lent. Think about what you might give up or take on, either as a family or individually. Children might give up desserts or TV or a certain toy (even for one day a week). You might take on reading a Bible story before bed, or praying together as a family, or trying to do something extra kind to someone every day.
Think about how your family might be able to serve people in the community. Sign up to provide a meal at a local shelter or make a donation of food. Make colorful cards for shut-ins or people who don’t receive many visitors at a local senior center.
Share a “poverty meal” of one or two basic foods once a week (beans and rice, or soup and bread, for example). Talk about people who have even less to eat all year round. Give the amount of money you save by having these meals to a community food bank.
Create a Lenten centerpiece that helps you count down to Easter. One idea is to take a bare branch and tape a homemade leaf each day of Lent. Each day brings us a little closer to the “living” branch at Easter, when you could attach paper blossoms or butterflies to the tree.
Ask each family member to be responsible for a prayer before meals for one week of Lent. (My kids have been making up songs and playing instruments for some very interesting new graces!)
Look for signs of new life. Take your children out and look for buds, new leaves, bugs and worms. Each week, you’ll see the world waking up more and more after its winter sleep.
May this season be a time of blessing for you!
Comments
Post a Comment