Ash Wednesday derives it's name from the ritual of burning palm crosses from last years Palm Sunday and marking a cross on your forehead as a public sign of contrition. Ashes are a biblical sign of repentance. In our house we mark Ash Wednesday a little differently - we make ashes, burning our crosses from last year, the boys thoroughly enjoy this part of the ritual as the dry, brittle palms make a really good blaze! We then mix the ashes with soil and plant wheat berries. They grow quite quickly over the weeks and serve as a fresh , green reminder that, as we commit ourselves to discipline during Lent, God will produce new growth in us.
From repentance comes new life.
'....unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds.' John 12:24.
This is a really lovely idea. I also love your Alleluia box as the 'lack of Alleluia' tradition in Lent is one I love, but feel like my boys miss out on as our current church isn't intentional about Alleluias in general so we feel no absence during Lent. It is wonderful to hear what you are doing and to share inspiration. Many Thanks.
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