This past Sunday was a cold one, the threat of a winter storm looming overhead, everyone hunkering down with their milk and bread and preparing for the ice and snow that was coming. Attendance was low in our Family Formation (aka Sunday School) classes but we forged ahead all the same. We had important work to do. It was time to bury the Alleluias.
Saying Alleluia is an important and joyous part of Episcopal services (Or insert the liturgical denomination of your choosing). The word is used to add emphasis and praise during different points in our worship (similar to a rousing Baptist or charismatic AMEN!”) During Lent we reflect on Christ’ 40 days in the wilderness and the Israelites 40 years in the desert, and the places of wilderness that God is calling us – which is why we all “give up” something. As a church we all give up saying Alleluia as part of this practice – it is what we give up together. We bury them with the kids as a way to teach them about this tradition. Then on Easter we dig them up during our egg hunt and bring them back into the sanctuary . During our Easter service we celebrate that Christ lives and reigns – saying and singing Alleluia with great fervor and joy once again!
Even though this is something we did as a group at church, this is also something you can do as a family at home – with your kids, your neighbors, your small group, with your grandkids or friends.
First, we had to make a representation of the Alleluias. Because I wanted each kid, no matter their age, to feel some ownership of this project, I purchased unfininshed wooden letters spelling out Alleluia, Alleluia from the craft store. Sweet Man drilled holes in the letters so that we could make them into a banner. Then I laid the letters out on large sheets of papers and lined the center of the tables with makers and the kids got to coloring.
After everyone was done coloring we strung up the letters on a long piece of yarn. I love how colorful and personal each letter is! Yay kids!
Next, we put the banner in an empty cookie tin. We used a leftover Christmas tin, but you could also use a box, a weather proof bag, or maybe even have the kids decorate a tin in advance.
Next, everyone took a turn digging up a hole in one of the flower beds out front.
Once the hole was big enough we placed the tin in the hole and covered it up.
I love that there are so many ways for the kids to participate in this project, ad that there are so many ways to help – for the artistic kid, the physical kid, the dirt-loving kid…
So that we wouldn’t forget where we buried them, we made a cross out of sticks found under the trees.
Easter morning during our Egg Hunt, we will dig the Alleluia’s back up and take them inside and hang them up in the Sanctuary!
If you do this project at home, you could dig them up Easter morning and hang them up over your front door or over your breakfast table.
Today is Shrove Tuesday – don’t forget to eat your pancakes!
Much love!
J
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Looking for creative, meaningful, and family (and time) friendly ways to observe Lent and Easter at home?
Nab a copy of A Homemade Year {in print or on your eReader}
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