Lent is a long season. Most of the time it’s cold and dreary outside, and Easter and spring seem very far away. But luckily Lent gives us a little something special before we settle into 40 days of somber faces, somber churches and somber mindsets. Lent kicks off with Ash Wednesday which is one of the neatest services to attend at a Lutheran church. David’s Psalm of repentance is chanted or read or we all file up to receive a cross of ashes on our foreheads as we are told that they will eventually return to the dust.
Ash Wednesday Ashes
That doesn’t sound like much of a season opener does it? Ashes have traditionally represented three things since Old Testament times. First, they represent death. We recognize that we will some day return to the ground from which we were formed. Second, ashes represent sin which is the cause of death. Finally, they can represent grief and mourning over sin or just the brokenness of the world in general. But here is something to think about this Ash Wednesday as the pastor traces the sign of the cross on your forehead. In Isaiah 61, God promises t0 give those who mourn a beautiful headdress instead of ashes. This headdress can be found in Revelation 2:10 where God replaces the cross of ashes with a crown of life. The ashes and the crown both have a place in the life of a Christian
First Grade Resources
Get your students ready for Lent to start by studying the significance of Ash Wednesday using this great first grade resource pack. It includes a mini book all about Ash Wednesday and the symbolism and meaning that goes with it. You’ll also get mini books for many other special days throughout the year as well as year-long memory activities.
If you are looking for more ready-to-use resources for your students, check them out in my store.
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