Christian Parenting
"Everything in life has its own time. There is time to celebrate and there is time to mourn. This is the time for reflection and transformation. Let us look within and change into what we ought to be."
Ash Wednesday is a time for Christian men and women to reflect and find spiritual encouragement in the words and actions of Jesus. Aaron Saul explained the significance of Ash Wednesday wonderfully when he said that:
"Everything in life has its own time. There is time to celebrate and there is time to mourn. This is the time for reflection and transformation. Let us look within and change into what we ought to be."
Ash Wednesday is an incredibly important time for many Christians, and so for many Christian parents as well. Christian parents often feel that it is important for their children to learn the significance of this holy day. But what do you do if you've got a little one and you are not sure how to explain Ash Wednesday to them, or how to get them involved in Ash Wednesday activities? What if they would rather watch cartoons?
Here are several ways that you can get your child more interested and involved in Ash Wednesday:
1) Talk to them!
Though you might think your child will not care or understand if you try to explain, you could be pleasantly surprised if you just give it a shot! If they know that this day means something to you, then they might be curious about it. Explain to your child, in simple terms, what Ash Wednesday represents. Let them know that it is a time to get closer to God and a time for us to try to better ourselves.
2) Encourage them to give something up for Lent
You can further explain to your child that they can get closer to God by giving something up and making some extra room in their heart. Tell them that candy and toys aren't bad, but that wanting those things too much can sometimes cause us to forget about God. Tell them that you are giving up something as well, and make a pact to help each other get through Lent.
3) Teach them a simple prayer
If your child has been open to all of the ideas so far, then consider teaching them a simple prayer that they can say on Ash Wednesday and on every night of Lent. It doesn't have to be too scripted, just remind them to be thankful and to say sorry for anything that they have done which may have hurt others, as Lent is a time for repentance.
4) Read scripture together
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which represents the 40 days that Jesus spent wandering the desert, fasting, and enduring temptation by Satan. You can read the accounts in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and explain to your child that this is why Lent includes fasting and abstinence.
5) Track the days of lent with them on a calendar
Another great way to get your child involved in Ash Wednesday and in Lent afterwards is to have them mark off the days on a calendar. Point out Ash Wednesday and Easter, and have them cross off the days of Lent as they go by.
6) Pull out the arts and crafts
Take out the construction paper, scissors, glue, sparkles, and markers, and have your child make some Lenten decorations that you will keep up around the house during Lent. Draw the outline of a cross for them and have them (carefully!) cut out and decorate it.
7) Plan your Lenten meals
If fasting is an important part of Lent for your family, then involve your child in the meal planning. For example, if you observe abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, then ask your child what they would prefer to substitute for meat and write it down together.