october: magi pilgrimage snacks
The Magi were seekers of wisdom who lived “in the East” (probably modern-day Iran). A sign in creation (a star) gave these seekers a clue that God was doing something big, and they wanted to be part of it! So they traveled many miles to worship the newborn king. This month’s practice is an invitation to imagine the pilgrimage of the Magi. It is also an opportunity to experience God’s creation and nature with children.
Read It: Matthew 2:1-12
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”....... 9 ... and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Pray It
God, long ago seekers of wisdom saw your sign and wanted to be part of what you were doing. Spark our curiosity. Make us wise so that we, too will be willing to take journeys and do whatever you’re calling us to do to find and follow Jesus. Amen
God, long ago seekers of wisdom saw your sign and wanted to be part of what you were doing. Spark our curiosity. Make us wise so that we, too will be willing to take journeys and do whatever you’re calling us to do to find and follow Jesus. Amen
Make It
This list of snacks to pack comes from what we imagine the people of the Magi’s place and time may have eaten. You don't have to have these exact snacks - If you don’t have these snacks on hand, improvise with some other things that are similar.
Story prompts:
* Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
* O, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
* Siyahamba
This list of snacks to pack comes from what we imagine the people of the Magi’s place and time may have eaten. You don't have to have these exact snacks - If you don’t have these snacks on hand, improvise with some other things that are similar.
- Pistachios (and other nuts, like almonds)
- Apricots (fresh or dried)
- Oranges
- Pomegranates
- Sunflower seeds
- Bread
Story prompts:
- The magi were seekers of wisdom, and they saw something in nature - a star - that prompted their curiosity and led them to Jesus. What in creation makes you curious and leads you to Jesus?
- What are your family’s traditions when you journey? What were your traditions as a child?
- Tell a wacky travel story.
- The magi were probably traveling in a caravan. Why do people caravan/travel/go on journeys in today’s world and in other Bible stories?
* Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
* O, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem
* Siyahamba
Explore it: A Note from Tami
Many of us never experience a long difficult physical pilgrimage. We adults are more apt to experience “spiritual journeys” of seeking God’s presence and purpose in our lives.
How can we translate the concept of pilgrimages into meaningful experiences for young children? One of the most tangible ways is to welcome God as we spend time in nature, enjoying God’s creation. Stop and notice details - such as the seeds in a drying plant (even a weed!). A journey doesn’t have to be long for a young child to feel that she has experienced travel.
We want and need to protect our children from much of the pain and suffering in our world. On the other hand, it is good to share enough with them that they can have empathy for the pilgrimages and struggles that other children are experiencing. Enjoy your hike together, but also pray together for those whose “hike” is not just an enjoyable outing.
Here are some great on-line resources pertaining to experiencing nature and God’s presence and care in nature.
Many of us never experience a long difficult physical pilgrimage. We adults are more apt to experience “spiritual journeys” of seeking God’s presence and purpose in our lives.
How can we translate the concept of pilgrimages into meaningful experiences for young children? One of the most tangible ways is to welcome God as we spend time in nature, enjoying God’s creation. Stop and notice details - such as the seeds in a drying plant (even a weed!). A journey doesn’t have to be long for a young child to feel that she has experienced travel.
We want and need to protect our children from much of the pain and suffering in our world. On the other hand, it is good to share enough with them that they can have empathy for the pilgrimages and struggles that other children are experiencing. Enjoy your hike together, but also pray together for those whose “hike” is not just an enjoyable outing.
Here are some great on-line resources pertaining to experiencing nature and God’s presence and care in nature.
- Seeing God in Nature This blog helps we adults experience God through nature
- How to teach kids the skill of seeing God through nature This site has a number of advertisements, but it also has some great insights and ideas
- Helping young children notice nature
- Nature walk activities for kids
Help Keep Building Faith Alive!
Building Faith, a ministry of the Mennonite Early Childhood Network, operates on a limited budget funded totally by personal donations.
Would you be willing to donate to keep it going?
A small regular donation of $5.00 or a larger one time contribution would be greatly appreciated. Click below to make a tax deductible contribution to Mennonite Early Childhood Network through the Mennonite Education Agency, our parent organization.
(An anonymous donor is matching contributions right now!)
Building Faith, a ministry of the Mennonite Early Childhood Network, operates on a limited budget funded totally by personal donations.
Would you be willing to donate to keep it going?
A small regular donation of $5.00 or a larger one time contribution would be greatly appreciated. Click below to make a tax deductible contribution to Mennonite Early Childhood Network through the Mennonite Education Agency, our parent organization.
(An anonymous donor is matching contributions right now!)
