Parenting Points
Holy Week is an important time in the Christian calendar, but it can also be a great time of year to connect your kids to the story of Jesus on a deeper level. Here are five ideas for enriching your Holy Week experience as a family.
1. Palm Sunday Celebration. Start Holy Week with a joyful celebration of Palm Sunday. Gather the family and create palm branches using construction paper. As you wave the branches, read the Biblical account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40). Palm Sunday is a great day to discuss the significance of Jesus as the King.
2. Maundy Thursday Foot Washing. On Maundy Thursday, families can create a powerful and humbling tradition by practicing foot washing. Parents can wash their children’s feet, reading John 13:1-17, focusing on the significance of Jesus’ actions. Foot washing encourages humility and service within the family and is a great reminder of Christ’s love.
3. Good Friday Reflection. Good Friday is a time for solemn reflection. Consider setting up a family movie night to watch a film about the crucifixion and resurrection or discuss Good Friday’s significance. You can also create a “cross” out of sticks or craft materials and take a moment to write down prayers or reflections about your gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice.
4. Holy Saturday. On Holy Saturday, consider holding an Easter vigil. Gather around candlelight to read Scriptures that tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection. You might light a special candle in your home, symbolizing the light of Christ returning to the world. This can be coupled with a family craft, creating resurrection-themed decorations to display on Easter morning.
5. Joyful Easter Celebration. On Easter Sunday, create a lively celebration filled with joy and gratitude. Start the day with a service at church, followed by a meal together. Consider preparing a resurrection-themed Easter egg hunt, where each egg contains symbols of the resurrection, such as a small cross or a stone. This keeps the focus on the true meaning of Easter amidst the fun.
Incorporating these traditions into your Holy Week observance creates memories and a deeper spiritual understanding for your kids. Let this Holy Week not just be another date to fly by on the calendar, but a time of intentional spiritual growth and reflection.
-Dr. Ben Birdsong
Director of European Expansion for First Priority Global Ministries
