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Lenten Paper Chain



If you're looking for an engaging way to observe Lent with your children, I'd like to offer this simple idea- a paper chain!


Lent is a forty-day fast that is observed from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday. You may notice that the length of time between these two events is actually forty six days. So why the discrepancy? That's because Sundays during Lent are always considered feast days! Sundays are for fellowship, worship, and partaking! Even during Lent, we treat Sundays like a mini Easter- a time to celebrate and proclaim the risen Savior! So, when constructing a Lenten paper chain, you will have forty-seven links that represent Ash Wednesday, all of the ordinary Lent days, Sunday feast days, and Holy Week!


Materials:

  • Purple, White, Black, Pink, and Red Construction Paper

  • Tape

  • Crayons





Instructions:

  • Cut 35 purple strips

  • Cut 8 white strips

  • Cut 1 pink, and 1 red strip

  • Cut 2 black strips


  • Draw a black cross on 1 purple strip

  • Draw a shamrock on 1 white strip

  • Draw a cross and flowers on 1 white strip

  • If there are any other particular feast days you'd like to observe, feel free to decorate the appropriate links!





Order of Links

  • 4 purple (the first of which should be the one with the black cross. The symbolizes Ash Wednesday.)

  • 1 white

  • 5 purple

  • 2 white

  • 6 purple

  • 1 white

  • 6 purple

  • 1 pink

  • 6 purple

  • 1 white (the one with the shamrock, to symbolize Saint Patrick's Day!)

  • 1 purple

  • 1 white

  • 4 purple

  • 1 red

  • 3 purple

  • 1 white

  • 2 black

  • 1 white (the one with the cross and flowers that represent Easter!)




Display your paper chain in a central location, where you can visually track the journey of days! Let it be a witness to any visitors you have in your home! Allow it to be a conversation starter on the topic of Lent. I have even seen families print out strips of paper with scripture verses and prayer prompts to read each day! This is another great idea.


Snap a photo of your Lenten chain, and please share it with me! I would love to see it.






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