Craft: Lenten symbol box



Posted by Veronica

 

In attempt to teach the kids about some of the Lenten symbols. 

I made a bin of things for them to explore. 

I wrote LENT on the top in big letters to help them with spelling. 

Two Violet strips of fabric for Jesus' pain, suffering, and royalty

A train track, to think of Lent as a journey.

A taped shut Tupperware of sand, and some rocks and petrified wood. To remember Jesus' time in the desert. 

There is a little fake candle in the box, because Jesus is our light. 

There is a cross - Jesus' final destination.

There is a fake croissant. This reflects this Sunday's gospel, where Jesus refuses Satan's temptation of food, and power.  

I taped nails to the inside of the lid so they can think about Jesus' boo-boos on the cross. My children are really into Jesus' wounds on his hands, feet, and side. They are fascinated by the crown of thorns. They also understand Jesus' falling 3 times in the Station of the Cross.  Iris tends to point and say, "uh-oh" and, "sad" and makes a pouty liped sad face. 

Children fall a lot and have a lot of boo-boos, so talking about these parts of the passion a great place to connect children with what Jesus is going through. 

We also learned a fun Lenten song. I found it on Catholic Icing , reposted from Alexandra Montano.  

 We are going to sing this song when we light our Lenten candle before eating. 

It is a fun way to teach the three major parts of lent, the purpose of lent, the length, and explains it in kid terms "Being super, extra nice"

Why do  love Lent? 

Maybe because we are encouraged to learn about Jesus and be extra-super nice, 

It is like Advent, but SO SO SO much better because it comes 

WITHOUT the threat of Santa knowing if you are naughty or nice...

WITHOUT the burden of buying everyone presents...

WITH the promise, we get the best gift of all... FORGIVENESS

photo credits: Alexandra Montano, Myself