Sunday, April 13, 2014

Holy Week Boxes.

This past week was my baptismal birthday, and also one of my Goddaughter's. As I thought about her, I also thought about how, as Godparents, we slack. I felt like we don't do enough, we don't talk enough, pray enough, share enough, encourage enough. Part of this feeling is that I know they are getting a good foundation at home. Why should that stop me though?

So I wanted to do something special. With Holy Week approaching I had seen a few things pop up on Pinterest. The first was from here. and it completely inspired me. I wanted to use that, jazz it up a bit, and add a simple book to go along with it.

Which made me remember this nice trick. A mini book out of one sheet of paper. Eliza loves when I make her a few blank ones of these. I need to make a few more and keep them in my purse for any time we are stuck waiting. Instructions for folding are at the bottom of this post.

So off to photoshop. Thanks to some Google images I created this file. Which then with some folds, and one cut, turned into the perfect size book for little kids. The information for each day was kept basic, but then I added bible verses so their parents could dive deeper if the kids needed/wanted more.

Then it was time for the boxes. most of the supplies were things I had at home. (I have such a random craft supply, doesn't everyone have tiny step stools for shorty Jesus?)

I ended up putting together 8 of them, and spent less than $10. I was pretty proud of them, and already have seen excitement over them. A friend said "Sort of like a nativity, but for Easter" I know how much Eliza loves her nativity, and it's nice to have something for her to look at and touch during this very special week.

Looking forward to using this as part of our Easter tradition for many years.

So, to kick off. It's Palm Sunday! We remember Jesus riding into Jerusalem, the branches waving, and shouts of "Hosanna!" Made a simple palm leaf to place next to Jesus.

Next we remember the last supper, on Maundy Thursday. (this is where the step stool came into play, since I made the table too tall by flipping the lid over) I used some red tape to attach the folded piece of bread and wine, and had it pop up.
Then Good Friday. What a hard day to explain to kids. To help them realize the power of it. I wanted to add part of the painful story. so I searched for something to represent a crown of thorns. Settled on some hemp that I twisted all up and hot glued to keep from unraveling. Then, on the bottom of the box, I painted Calvary hill and the cross.
That evening Jesus can then be wrapped in cloth and placed in the tomb and covered with a stone, where he rests until that wonderful morning!

Easter! Empty tomb! He is risen!
Looking forward to that day, and sharing the great news, with Eliza, Hattie, all our Godchildren, and people everywhere!

If you would like to download the mini book, here is the link. personal use only please! Make sure you print "actual size"

Do you have any Holy Week traditions? Always looking for fun activities to do with the girls, or use in Sunday school!

How to Make Books, by Esther K. Smith, illustrations by Lindsay Stadig

31 comments:

OurWanderingAdventures said...

What a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing!!

Unknown said...

I would like to share this with 10 families at our church. Is that ok? I will post your blog link at the bottom. Thank you!

james and michele said...

certainly! and you're welcome. blessings!

Unknown said...

Michele and James,
This is amazing. May I please share with our grade 1-2 Sunday School. I'll be sure to provide credit to your creative gifts :)
peace,
Sarah

Jill said...

Love this! I made it today, but I cut off the bottom of a blade-type clothespin (with "legs") for Jesus. I also added a nail and a piece of sponge for more of the story. Thanks for sharing!

james and michele said...

oh good ideas jill! i'll have to add to mine. thanks for sharing! and hope you have a happy easter!

james and michele said...

and yes sarah! sorry, i forgot to come back and reply. of course you can! blessings!

janey said...

Thank you so much, this is a wonderful idea. I love all the different bits other people have added on. Peace be with you.

kristen said...

Thank you for sharing this! Just made one for my kiddos who will love it.

Wendy said...

Hi, I am having trouble printing the little book. Is it possible for you to email it to me?

Wendy said...

Hi, I am having trouble printing the little book. Is it possible to email it to me?

Unknown said...

Absolutely beautiful !!!
I LOVE this!

Unknown said...

Could I have permission to print your booklet for our Easter Event that we do with our 4th graders at our church? There are less than 40 kids. Thank you for considering!

m said...

yes you may! thank you for asking, and enjoy!

Unknown said...

Hello, I would LOVE to print your booklet for our Palm Sunday Intergenerational festival that we are having soon. I was wondering if there is a way to change the text to be in line with the Revised Common Lectionary that we will be using this year. Thank you for considering!!

Unknown said...

Hello, I was wondering if we could print your booklet for our Intergenerational Palm Sunday festival that we are having soon? I LOVE the booklet idea and think it would such a great addition. Is there any way that I could change the bible text on the booklet to the Revised Common Lectionary text that we are using this year so that it can be in line with what we're hearing in worship? I would also love to credit you for this amazing resource. Thank you for considering!!

Unknown said...

Made this for the 2nd time today. SO great!

Unknown said...

Made this today for the 2nd time. This is such a GREAT Easter Sunday craft.

Anonymous said...

Hey! Would love to do this activity with the kids at our church. I am trying to find boxes that will fit everything; would you mind sharing how big your boxes and peg dolls were? Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

This is great! I would love to do this activity at our church. Would you mind sharing what size box and peg doll? Thanks so much!

SaraV said...

Wonderful idea! I have been making peg dolls for my Sunday school class. I’m trying to incorporate more hands on activities (mostly first graders). And mini books have been a big hit too

Jenni Klemp said...

Hoping for a link for where to purchase the box

revsbecker said...

May I use your booklet for a Holy Week activity bag I'm putting together for the kids at my church? I'm making the little boxes for them to use, too. There are about 20 kids.

revsbecker said...

May I use your booklet for a Holy Week activities kit I'm putting together for the kids in my church? I will be giving them the boxes, too. There are about 20 kids.

Lisa said...

This is great and would be so helpful to parents in telling the story at home (while promoting literacy). Could I use this with 65-70 families in my congregation as long I make sure to credit your work?

Anonymous said...

I love this! What a great multipurpose box for representing all of Holy Week AND being a hand-held Mass-sized. (-: Thank you for sharing!

Lisa said...

Can I use this booklet with 60-70 families at my church? I thought I had posted this question previously, but it's not showing up in posts. Thanks for your creativity and your consideration!

m said...

Yes! Please do!

m said...

Yes! Enjoy!

Kathy said...

May I use this with our church families in our “Holy Week bags”? Thank you for sharing this! Blessings to you.

Bethany said...

I’d love to share this with my church childcare program. About 40 families. With credit of course!

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