Sacred Circle Time: Kids bless our families in Lent
March 02, 2022
It’s no secret — Jesus has a heart for kids. When His disciples attempted to turn away the children that were brought to Him for a blessing, Jesus used their innocence to set an example for those who hope to share in the glory of heaven. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt 19:14, ESV). This Lent season, HPUMC Kids is doing the Sacred Circle Time activity, giving your kids the opportunity to step up, take control of their faith, and lead your family in precious weekly moments of prayer and blessing.
It’s natural and loving for us to want to shield our children from the suffering Jesus experienced leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday. However, this is an important time in the liturgical year when kids of all ages can reflect on the meaning of the Lenten season, learn to bless one another, and pray.
Each Sunday, from Ash Wednesday to Lent, we invite you to make the time and space in your homes to practice Sacred Circle Time. Kids ages two to five years old have been sharing this activity with our kids' ministry over the last three months, and we hope this special time together will bless you and your family as well.
What is Sacred Circle Time?
Sacred Circle Time is a simple ritual that can be done in your home in as little as two minutes (of course, you may take as long as you’d like). It’s intended to encourage your kids to spend time in prayer during Lent and celebrate Easter. Your kids will receive a prayer kit that will come with all of the materials you will need to share this activity with your family.
What you’ll receive:
Two sheets of paper (one purple, one yellow)
One candle
One tube of chapstick (“blessing balm”)
What you’ll do:
Gather your family in a circle or around a table.
On the Sundays leading up to Easter, place the purple sheet of paper in front of you. On Easter Sunday, use the yellow sheet of paper instead to celebrate the resurrection, and go through the same routine.
Read the scripture aloud with your child, or allow them to read it if they are able.
Light the candle, and be still for one minute of silent prayer.
Encourage your child to draw a cross with the “blessing balm” on the hand of each adult or child. As they are drawing, they will say “(Name), you are a blessing, and Jesus loves you.”
Easter is a time of great celebration for our families. While we mourn the death of our Savior on the cross at the end of Holy Week, we celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday. There is hope for us all. Jesus is alive!
Giving our kids the opportunity to take the lead this Lenten season in Sacred Circle Time will surely bless the heart of the Lord — and our families in turn.
