We went to Ash Wednesday service this week and began the season of Lenten reflection. Like many people, we try to give up or add something to our daily lives in order to remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us. I'll admit that giving up anything food-related is a struggle in pregnancy! So, we decided to spend time specifically memorizing and teaching our girls hymns and Scripture during this time. I asked our church's immensely talented music director (come check out our church sometime and see for yourself!) for her suggestions on how exactly to do that with toddlers. Here is her response:
YAY! One of my favorite questions!
--447 Jesus, in Your Dying Woes always works well because the little ones can pick the "Hear Us, Holy Jesus" line at the end.
--420 Christ the Life of All the Living also has that wonderful refrain.
-434 Lamb of God, Pure and Holy is also rich yet repetitive and even if they only get the "Have mercy on us, O ... Read More Jesus!" what else do we really need!?!
--I am always a fan of 433 Glory Be to Jesus (what we will do in SS opening all through Lent), especially the first two stanzas because it gives such a tactile reference. I like to show the little children the veins on the back of their wrists, talk about how that is how blood runs through our body. Then you talk about how Jesus was both a God and Man and had veins just like ours and how His veins were pierced by a nail for us.
--And, of course, the parts of the liturgy are so wonderful, especially the Kyrie and Agnus Dei.
Enjoy! And thanks for giving me ideas of what to do with my boys this Lent.
(hymn numbers are from the Lutheran Service Book)
How are you recognizing Lent this year?
2 comments:
what a great idea...how's it going so far? that age they are like sponges, they will probably have them all memorized before you do!
Oooh, what great ideas! Maybe we'll try some of those, too. Kaeta is really getting into Lent this year. Every time we're sitting at the table she asks if it's time to do a devotion.
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