Preparing for a Simple Lent
Lent begins soon – are you ready? As I was clicking around for ideas online, I became quickly overwhelmed by the number of links and posts of Lenten ideas.
I realized that a woman can get herself into quite a tizzy trying to observe a season meant to slow us down. Doesn’t that seem a bit ironic?
I’m actually a little hesitant to share what we’re doing because I really don’t want to contribute to that feeling of there’s-so-much-to-do-how-will-we-ever-get-to-it-all that seems so contradictory to the purpose of Lent.
I also hate to think that anything I post would make someone else feel like she isn’t doing enough. I feel that way sometimes when I’m reading blogs.
I’m posting our plans for a simple Lent because I’d like to record our family traditions and practices, but also because I think it’s helpful to see that you don’t have to do it all.
I hope you’ll see my short list of Lenten practices and feel more comfortable making your own short, simple list of ways to live out the season.
Burying the Alleluia
This is a tradition my children learned when they were a part of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. On the first day of Lent, we roll up that beautiful Alleluia like a scroll, tie it with a purple ribbon, and tuck it away. As a Church, we don’t sing or say the word “Alleluia” for the duration of Lent.
Alleluia is an Easter word!
We put it away, so to speak, and when we reclaim it on Easter Sunday, how joyful it feels to let it roll off our tongues. After 40 days of quiet, we are practically bursting with Alleluia.
Physically burying the word reminds us that joy always follows suffering. We must wait for it, but it will come. Alleluia!
Marking the days
There are many ways to mark the 40 days of Lent. Usually, we mark them by printing a countdown for each child. I just search the internet to find them.
Offering up sacrifices
Though we make it a habit every year to increase our sacrifices during Lent, this is the first year we will use a crown of thorns to help us. Each time a child makes a sacrifice or commits an act of charity, he or she will (as secretly as possible) pull a thorn from Christ’s crown.
In this way, the children are reminded that when we love others, we lessen the suffering of Our Lord. By contrast, when we act uncharitably toward others, we contribute to the pain of the cross. How joyous it will be to see that crown, thornless on Easter Sunday. What a gift to give our Lord.
As a Church, we do not eat meat on Fridays. In addition, each of us gives up one thing we are attached to for these 40 days. Giving something up for Lent is not a trite practice. It helps us remember (every time we want that particular food or drink, or whatever else we have decided to give up!) that we are abundantly blessed.
So blessed, that giving up something seemingly small can be rather difficult. What greater sacrifices is God calling us to make? How can we better ponder the incredible sacrifice He made for us?
Praying the Stations of the Cross
Meditating on the Way of Christ is one of Christianity’s oldest traditions. To help us really consider the sacrifice Jesus made for us, we will read from Mary Joslin’s The Story of the Cross each morning.
Reading Aloud
We especially enjoy Amon’s Adventure. Like all of Ytreeide’s work, it’s rather intense, so preview it before you read it to little ones.
I interviewed the author, Arnold Ytreeide, on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, and that’s worth a listen!
Above all, just be.
I think it’s important not to get wrapped up in too much doing during Lent. We can observe this important spiritual season in a way that honors God and that allows us to really slow down, simplify, and hear what He has to say to us.
I hope this post helps you see that you don’t have to become a whirling dervish to pull off a good Lenten atmosphere in your home.
In fact, you’ll probably set a better atmosphere by keeping things as quiet, simple, and reverent as you possibly can.
Thank you for the printable Allelujah. I especially love the idea of removing the thorns from the crown as as symbolizing lessening the suffering of Jesus when we help others. I am not from a tradition that normally celebrates Lent, but these practices will help to keep me mindful of all that the season means. Thank you.
Thanks I needed this! I was getting overwhelmed by pinterest ideas:) We aren’t particularly crafty nor do we have lots of space to be crafty as we live on a boat but there is still much we can do for lent, especially in our hearts! I am using the calendar you posted because I can’t see doing the big board with post it notes. Plus the kids can have a more personal prayer plan for Lent. Happy Lent
Love these ideas! Thank you
“I realized that a woman can get herself into quite a tizzy trying to observe a season meant to slow us down.”– I love this! Thank you. :D
Thanks Sarah –beautiful!
I added a link to the google doc in the post, for whoever wants it. :)
I’d love it, Sarah! Years ago I traced something with a similar pattern with AMOR…love the design!
Thanks for the link to the kids countdown . . . we have been using charts a lot to help them keep organized and track their responsibilities themselves . . . we have been talking about Lent quite a bit this year and this will be a lovely visual for the girls . . . Hannah is giving up her DS (a well loved activity!) and I am giving up coffee . . . after thinking about it, I said in my head “to hard” . . . then heard that small still voice say “that’s the point” . . . Happy Lent my friend!!
As always, gracefully done. Prayers for a beautiful Lenten season for all of you :)
I got that Alleluia from the kids CGS teachers years ago. I think someone there drew it freehand. I’ll try to put it up as a google doc, so you can just print it out if you like it. :)
What a beautiful plan, Sarah. Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate the simplicity here as I can get overzealous in my Lenten ambitions. It’s ridiculous. But you’re an inspiration and I appreciate it.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Wonderful plan! I love that Alleluia! Is that traced or freehand?
Sarah, thank you for reminding us to keep it simple. Your ideas are wonderful, yet easy. Slowing the pace should be the goal. I was feeling overwhelmed going through those wonderful blogs myself! I will take your permission to simplify this Lenten season. :)
I was just thinking today that I needed to get my Lenten plans ready (late, I know) and here you have done it for me. Thank you! It will be a “simply” lovely Lent.
I love those 3-part cards, we’ll definitely be adding that to our Lenten plans. I also tend to get overwhelmed with ideas. I have decided to keep things nice and simple this year. I’ll probably post about it soon.
Thank you for sharing these ideas Sarah. They’re wonderful.
Wonderful simplicity, Sarah! I really appreciate this post. As I, too, get overwhelmed—and like I’m not doing “enough”—by the sheer volume of ideas out there for this quiet, penitent season. Thank you!
Simply lovely and beautiful!
Thank you so much for this beautiful, simplified post. It has been a blessing to me this morning, as i’ve been running around with an ever-expanding list and was on my way to the craft store today feeling a little like the March Hare in Alice in Wonderland (“We’re late!!”).
I would also like to try something like Resurrection cookies for Easter, but at least I’ve got another 40 days to get ready for those!
Thank you again.
lovely and meaningful :)
Hi Sarah!
I love your Lenten ideas! We also say a children’s version of the Stations of the Cross once a week and we have the same Stations cards! We make a crown of thorns out of dough, bake it and then put toothpicks in it for thorns. Then at the end of Lent, the kids paint it gold, glue jewels on it and it makes a beautiful centerpiece on the Easter dinner table. I hope to blog about all this soon! I’m your newest follower too :)
Sarah
Thank you!!!! You have just organised my Lenten plans for me:) I’ll be having the baby a couple of weeks into Lent so wanted to keep it simple. however finally I can bury the Alleluia! I thought you had to have the letters (too expensive to buy here) and now you’ve shown me another way:) Love your other ideas too, so doable.