Celebrating Ascension

It has been 40 days since Easter, the day traditionally used to mark Jesus' ascension to heaven as recorded in Acts.  I am sharing below a post from two years ago (I can't believe how little my girls look!).  I hope this simple and sweet way to mark the day helps your family remember that Easter Sunday isn't the end of the story.   If you are in the midst of the end of school like we are, and just trying to drag your family over the the end-of-year finish line, tuck this idea in the back of your mind and pull it out in July for a family devotion.  We are not people living under the law, any day is a good day to train our children in the Word of God.  

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Last Sunday was Ascension Sunday when we remember Jesus ascending to Heaven.  Jesus had been with the apostles for 40 days since His resurrection.
“…he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”  Act 1:9

 When I saw this cute idea on Cultivated Lives, I knew my girls would love it.  The blue Jello and Cool Whip clouds are such a fun visual reminder of Ascension.   

Last night I surprised Pete and the girls with their Ascension desserts.  (You can see mine were not nearly as cute.  Reddy Wip from a can does not hold up like Cool Whip!)   I added a strawberry cut into the shape of a heart to represent the promise of the gift God would send after Jesus' ascension. 

Our family has been reading the Book of Acts each morning since Easter, so instead of reading the biblical account of Jesus' ascension, we played "Ascension trivia."  Emily (6) surprised us all by having all the answers.  She of course thought that deserved a reward.  You can guess it where this lead....

The joy of watching the girls enjoying their blue jello (I don't serve a lot of blue food around here.) and just spending a few extra minutes at the dinner table together, was such a great reminder to me that raising faith in our children doesn't have to be serious or difficult, we don't have to have the perfect devotion guide or a seminary degree.  It can be as simple as some blue jello, a can or Reddi Wip and the time to talk about our great and loving God.

As for the little strawberry heart... Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift God would send.  They waited 10 days, and then received the gift of the Holy Spirit.  This is marked by Pentecost in the church calendar.  My girls are marking off 10 days on our chalkboard.  Next Wednesday night we will celebrate it.  I will share ideas for celebrating Pentecost and the church's birthday next week.