Our families have been celebrating Christ's resurrection for long and coming to the end. The end of the season celebrates the feast of ascension which falls on Thursday, 40 days after Easter. This feast has been celebrating by early Christians and by 4th century it began to spread around.In other words Ascension is the grand finale of all jesus words and works done for us and for our salvation. Key word we hear these days is power.
It is an ancient tradition to eat a bird because Christ has flown to heaven.In West Germany, bakers provide pastries made in the shape of bird.In England,it is time of horse races,games dancing.In Central Europe,people go on picnics and hiking.
Two things you can enjoy doing as part of this feast too.
Take a family on a picnic and if you can find a high point and have a picnic.This is an ancient tradition reminding of the ascension of Lord. Imagine,He invited them to Hilltop and is with disciples in their midst talking to them , while with them as blessing, He began to float up,rising to the sky while you gazing at Him.When you are with the family,you can ask children by imagining you as disciples and being listening to Him. How do you feel like listening to Him?. and when He says He will leave them? In the midst , He is leaving and two men there with you saying He will come back again.Think on the way back, what are we supposed to do waiting for the Lord.
We had a mini picnic in our front garden and enjoyed sunshine today with my Jo's yummy pasta.
Last moments and His final words leave an impression to those with Him ,once His earthly living comes to end and we can ponder these words too on the feast day.
Mathew 28:19-20...''Go therefore and make disciples,baptise in the name of father,son...
Luke 24:50 says..''He lifted His hands and blessed them..''
Act 1:4-5..Christ tell His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come and be with them.
Act 1:8 Christ says The power of Holy Spirit will take them all over the earth, telling people about Him.
Activities you can do
- Making a kite with children and enjoy them flying.
- Windmills to make and enjoy.
- Making a parachute with hanky or piece of cloth.
- Wrap streamers of ribbon or tissue strips long around dowel and glue it around,and let the children run around with it..lots of fun.
- Blow up balloons,bat with it and let it fly with a picture of Christ on it so children can be reminded of ascension.
- Making an ascension craft.
Ascension Balloon activity:
You don't need a great revelation that if you let go something. it falls to the ground. There is an activity that uses helium balloons to help us understand Jesus rising up to heaven and His promises we can join Him in heaven for eternity if we follow Him.
For this activity you need a at least a helium balloon, plus a picture of Jesus or colored one. First of all, try and get some heavy things so balloon won't float. Like rocks, there are many things that are holding us down instead of rising to the level which God wants us in our lives.
Now replace the heavy object and with your picture of Jesus or light items, take the balloon out and let it go, Heavy objects will stay down due to the force of gravity. However light things like good thoughts and deeds raises us all to the the level of our Lord's love and expectations. Watch as as your picture of Jesus ascends to heaven out of sight.
Foodie
- Ascension jelly is super cool to do.You can find the idea here
- tiramisu is yummy which is a very fluffy and puffy italian desert.
- Heavenly Pasta is of another special meal for the day.
- Making a chicken roast for the day with white rice and ice cream as desert.
- Cloudy sky sweets /ascension cake- perhaps a light fluffy sponge or a meringue case filled with cream and fruit is a lovely idea too.
- Ascension pancake can be a swanky desert for the day.
- Fruits can make this day beautiful as it is reminded of Jesus the first fruit.
The three days before ascension is called Rogation days and even the days passed, still on Rogationtide. Rogare means 'to ask' , which is an ancient custom, to go around parish borders, bless crops which already seeded, asking God to bless it. You can even bless the indoor plants or flowerbeds by sprinkling Holy water.
Painting of ascension by Giotto was taken for art appreciation and saw the ways fresco is done by this genius.
Blessings of the day to you and family.
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