Lent for Families

Make this year’s observance of Lent a family affair.  Here are some ideas that your family might consider this Lent, and please share any others that you come up with that work well for your family:

Attend an Ash Wednesday service together.  If you have young children, our 5:30 p.m. service is a perfect way to introduce the season in a way they can understand.

Learn about Lent together.  Lent is 40 days long (not counting Sundays, which are like mini-Easters).  40 is a common number in the Bible - Noah was in the ark for 40 days, the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert before beginning his public a ministry.  These 40 days are a time for us to get ready to enter the mystery of Easter.

Give something up or take something on 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, take on a small service project each weekend, or try to do something extra kind to someone every day.
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.  Choose a charity to receive the money you save.

Create a “mite-box” to collect money during Lent.  Our Godly Play kids created boxes in Sunday school, but anyone can set aside a jar to save your change during this season.  Put in your pocket change each day, or, better yet, check out this fun Giving Calendar.  At the end of Lent, decide where to give the money you collect or bring in your jar to St. Aidan’s and the Godly Play kids will decide on a charity together for the money collected.

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.

Try out new graces during Lent.  Ask each family member to be responsible for a prayer before meals for one week of Lent.  Here’s one possibility (from Church Publishing):

I was hungry: And you gave me food.

I was thirsty: And you gave me drink.

I was a stranger: And you welcomed me.

I was naked: And you clothed me.

I was ill: And you comforted me.

I was in jail: And you came to see me.

Lord Jesus Christ, make our Lenten offerings turn us toward all our brothers and sisters who are in need. Bless this table, our good food, and ourselves. Send us through Lent with good cheer, and bring us to the fullness of Easter. Amen.

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 your family.