By The Reverend Dr. Katie Snipes Lancaster
Are you feeling cooped up in the snow? Are you feeling the post-Christmas blues? Are you wondering how to connect with God in the middle of winter? Here are my top five ideas for exploring spirituality with your children in the winter.
- Go for a meditative winter nature walk. Watch for signs of birds and squirrels and other animals who live outside all winter long. Listen to the sounds of your feet in the snow, the wind in the trees, the ice on the streets. Part of experiencing God is noticing the beauty of God’s creation.
- Right now, it’s the season of Epiphany, the season of light. As the days grow longer, we celebrate the gift of light: Jesus Christ as the light of the world. Light a candle when the sun goes down and reflect on your day together. In youth group we reflect this way: name the high of your day, the low of your day, and the way you saw God today.
- Snuggle up with a good book. Read your Children’s Bible (my new favorite is: Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell) or read a book that inspires you. After you read, ask: I wonder where is God in this story?
- Do something for someone. God says, “love your neighbor as yourself” and children can do this from a very early age. After doing something for someone, reflect on what it means to love your neighbor.
- Pray together. Not sure what to say? In Sunday School we use this prayer: Thanks (what we are thankful for), Help (what we need God’s help with), and Wow (what has amazed us about the world this week).
May God be with you as you connect with one another in these long winter months.