We went a few rounds with how to spend the day. There were house projects that could be done. Beautiful weather to enjoy. Easter to prepare for. And 5 boys to consider.
I went for my morning run, then I took Zander to the grocery store. During the morning errands I had time to think and realized that ending Lent was a big deal to the kids and getting video games back on a day crammed with church and family was probably not going to go over well. Plus I wanted a less rushed was to usher in Easter. I wanted to linger in the story.
So we decided to hold our own vigil.
The first 3 hours of the vigil was cleaning the property front to back. We started with clipping bushes and sweeping sidewalks. We cleaned the porch, washed windows and moved inside. Mopping, dusting, vacuuming. Room by room. The boys worked eagerly. 40 days of waiting for Minecraft will do that to a kid.
They started losing steam by the time we got to the back yard, so I decided to skip organizing the shed. But I got a good 3 hours out of them and that felt like a win.
It felt like a vigil.
We were making our home ready for the risen Lord. I think the boys felt that in some place. They were diligent in their work. It felt like a good way to meditate on the coming celebration.
Supplies for Easter basket were in my room. I don't usually do Easter baskets but miles had counted down the days of Lent faithfully. He had read a book about chocolate bunnies and he spied them in the grocery store "look mom, a rabbit wrapped in cellophane!!!" I had to get it. So I added a few more treats and a little gift for each boy. A new train for Zander. A stuffie for miles. Books for the older boys and fidgets for the whole group.
The pile of goodies lay on the floor next to my bed. I assigned the job to miles. Build the Easter basket. His eyes widened with joy. And he hurried to get to work.
Eddie, grab "The lion the witch and the wardrobe. "
Philip, Andrew "get snacks for everyone and meet me in the back yard."
The boys rushed off to prepare their jobs for our unconventional family service. Snacks, drinks, a book, and all the boys settling into swings ready to rest and listen.
I had seen on Facebook several years ago that one of the families from my church growing up gathered together on good Friday to read the appropriate sections of "The lion, the witch and the wardrobe " with the children. I thought it a beautiful way to remember the passion in a way that works for littles.
At this point, we've read the whole series 3 or 4 times, so my boys know the story well. I cracked the book and started reading. Recognition dawned on them as they heard analogs to the real story. Sadness in the garden. Walking on, alone. Accompanied by women up the hill. The jeering and humiliation. Even Peter, the high king of Narnia and the rock upon which the church would be built. As I read, the boys piped up the commentary.
Lucy and Susan held vigil over Aslan through the night. Cold and sad, they sat with the body.
"That's the vigil, mom!" A chorus of boys rang out.
"You are right." I replied. And so we switch to the vigil readings. But we are going to do this as a game. I am going to start the reading and you are going to tell me the story and the book of the Bible. And you're going to tell me why you think it would be added to the list of readings for the vigil. Also, you can guess what story might be next "
And so I read the readings. Creation. The flood. Abraham. The parting of the sea. Psalms. Isaiah. Ezekiel and the dry bones.
I only read a few words to start each before they interrupted with the summary and their ideas about why that story was chosen.
Finally I started the reading of the resurrection. I gave a few words at a time.
"Palm Sunday?" Philip guessed.
By the second sentence, they knew and they jumped up our of their swings.
"You're right! Miles go get the Easter basket and bring it out. "
Miles hurried out and came back with the basket of treats. He set it in the middle of the circle. I finished the reading and then switched back to Narnia and read the analogous part. I read up through the part where Aslan begins to revive the statues in the witch's garden.
When I finished there were "Aleluias he has risen!" As boys dove into the basket. Chocolate and everyone talking at once. Zander overcome with joy at his new train.
We were there. We came to the dark quiet garden and bore witness to the risen Lord. He was not there where we left him on Friday. He was gone.
I told the boys afterward that we now have the same job as those women. We are going to church early tomorrow to hide eggs and play bells. We are going early to help the church tell the story. Just like the women. They ran back and told the disciples.
They smiled at me. They loved the job. They are excited to do it. I am too.
"Alleluia! HE HAS RISEN! "
"He has risen indeed, Alleluia!!"
See you tomorrow. It's time to party!
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