Depending on your spiritual background, you may have heard of Lent but maybe feel unsure about how to celebrate it. If you grew up in the Catholic Church or other liturgical churches you might only remember not eating meat, eating fish on Fridays , or having ashes placed on your forehead. The word “lent” actually means “spring” and begins 40 days before Easter on Ash Wednesday each year and reflects the 40 days in the desert preparing for the cross ahead.
Lent is remembered each year in different ways but we want to provide some help for you to use the next 40 days to be intentional with your children. Moms, please don’t feel like this is something else to add to your list for the day or another “check-the-box” to be a good Christian mom. Rather than taking on something else, we encourage you to lay down something that you want to get rid of like your strivings, your selfish tendencies and your “can-do attitude” and find rest in Jesus. Over the next 40 days, we are going to provide you with some resources to draw closer to Jesus, to be reminded of His sacrifice for you and easy, fun ways to include your children in Lent.
THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE LENT GUIDE
One of our favorite Bibles for kids is the Jesus Storybook Bible. If you don’t have it, it is a must-have and is a great tool with free resources for celebrating Lent with your kids.
The Jesus Storybook Bible Lent Guide includes:
- A Letter to Friends (big and little) from Sally Lloyd-Jones
- A paper chain reading plan template, counting the 40 days of Lent
- A reading plan calendar, with a corresponding chapter from The Jesus Storybook Bible to read each day
- Coloring pages from the Jesus Storybook Bible Coloring Book, illustrated by Jago
- All as a FREE download!
A GREAT EXPLANATION OF LENT
A FREE AND EASY LENT CRAFT
A free craft: Print this lamb to represent Jesus, the Lamb of God, and every day as you pray and thank Jesus for His sacrifice, your child glues a cotton ball on the lamb.
REMEMBERING THROUGH SABBATH & COMMUNION
My family is preparing for Lent by having Sabbath dinner followed by communion together once a month.
I hope this time is a blessing for your family as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the greatest event in history.