In recent years, I have become unsatisfied with the lack of tradition in the daily rhythm of our lives. Lent is virtually ignored right up until Good Friday and then Easter arrives with virtually no preparation. The significance of Easter day is completely overshadowed by a ridiculous amount of candy from the Easter bunny and a large extended family meal. I wanted to change that this this year. I found a 40 day Lenten devotional on line at http://www.domesticchurch.com/CONTENT.DCC/19990301/FRIDGE/readings.htm Each day had a symbol and a bible verse. I printed out colored pictures of the 40 symbols and laminated them. Then I made a banner of purple fabric with a brown felt cross sewed onto the purple fabric. Using Velcro, the symbols will be attached to the cross each day after our devotional. I wanted to have an ash ceremony on Ash Wednesday but the day got away from me and it took most of the morning to make the banner.
We each determined something to give up for Lent. Denying ourselves for the season of Lent will be continual reminder of the sacrifice God made for us. Each time we deny ourselves our minds will go to the why. I am helping the kids to make this connection. My son, twice today, has asked the purpose of his sacrifice. We have had wonderful conversations about our sin nature and our salvation from sin in Christ. How much more meaningful Easter Sunday will be to know that it is not by our works but by the work of Christ! True cause for celebration.
I found another neat idea tonight at one of my favorite sights; http://www.ceremonialsforcommondays.blogspot.com/
Each child should have their own jar with a copy of the poem below secured on the jar. As you progress through the Lent the child's is given jelly beans based on their acts of service. On Easter morning, the jar is filled with the white jelly beans, the beans representing the free grace of Christ. Regardless of our works, it is only through Jesus that we come to God.
- Red Jellybeans are for the life that Christ gave.
- Red jellybeans are earned by sacrificing something we would have had the opportunity to HAVE or DO on today.
- Green is for the palm’s cool shade.
- Green jellybeans are earned for good deeds.
- Yellow is for God’s light so bright.
- Yellow jellybeans are earned for sharing God’s light through an act of kindness to another.
- Orange is for prayers at twilight.
- Orange jellybeans are earned for bedtime prayers.
- Black is for sweet rest at night.
- Black or dark blue are earned for going to bed on time.
- White is for the grace of Christ.
- White jellybeans can not be earned.
- Purple is for Jesus’ days of sorrow.
- Purple jellybeans are earned through apologizing to anyone hurt with our words or deeds that day.
- Pink is for each new tomorrow.
- Pink jellybeans are earned when we offer forgiveness to those who apologized to us.
The only problem with the jelly bean jar idea is that we don't really like jelly beans. I wonder if there is a different candy out there that I could substitute but I can't think of any with all of the needed colors.
I am praying that through these simply activities and sacrifices that the next forty days will be a time of deepening our relationship with Christ.
