Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Lenten Plans 2010

God So Loved the World, He Gave His Only Son
After stockings were opened Christmas morning we headed to church for Christmas day mass.  This was an oddity, because we usually go to mass on Christmas Eve.  However, due to circumstances beyond our control, we attended morning mass.  Princess and Big Boy were excited the creche at the back of church now included the baby Jesus.  All through mass both kept reminding us they needed to visit baby Jesus.  The mass ended and everyone hustled out quickly to their celebrations.  We made our way to the front of the creche.  Princess sweetly sang baby Jesus Happy Birthday.  I delighted at her pure and innocent voice singing out of love for the babe in swaddling clothes.  My eyes slowly made their way to the altar and eventually looked up at the crucifix.  I noticed light on the face of Jesus.  We've attended mass at this church for 12 years and never had seen the face of Jesus illuminated.      My husband and I stood awe struck at the beauty of this simple moment--a child's sweet voice singing lovingly to baby Jesus and the beauty of Christ's face illuminated while hanging on the cross.  Peace filled my heart and at that moment it connected Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter.  During both Advent and Lent we wait in anticipation of our savior, Jesus.  These two times of the liturgical year should not be seen as two seperate events, but instead as one intertwined, unseperated focus of God's love for us.   We as Christians enter into the 40 days of Lent today.  May we remember the Love God gave us poor sinners through His son, Jesus Christ.     Daily meditations to read during lent.
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Our Lenten Plans
To keep our focus on Lent we will use our Lenten Poster.

For our Bible Study, we will use our Jesus Tree.

On Fridays during lent we will read Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggsand use the Resurrection Eggs

For Holy Week, we will transform our Lenten Table to our Easter Table
As for me, I'm decluttering and cleaning both my house and heart this lent.   Using the 40 bag challenge and deep cleaning list, I hope to make my home environment a bit more conducive to prayer life.   

3 comments:

mel said...

What a lovely picture, singing to the baby Jesus like that.

Jamie Jo said...

Great post and links!

I am planning on making those "praying hands" with my kiddos on Holy Thursday, what a wonderful idea!

Thanks so much!

Kathleen's Catholic said...

What a lovely post, and a beautiful image you describe. Thanks!