A Lenten Mantel

As I was taking down the St. Patrick's Day décor from my mantel, I was pondering what I should replace it with.  The natural thought was some spring décor however, it struck me that I wanted to have a place in my home that reflected where we are in the church calendar - Lent.

With that in mind, I decorated my mantel to reflect some of the observances of Lent/Holy Week.

  

I started with this makeshift "crown of thorns" hung on the mirror to remind us of Jesus' suffering.
And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe;  they came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.  Pilate went out again, and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you, that you may know that I find no crime in him.”  John 19:2-4

 

 

Although the one Jesus wore would no doubt have had many more thorns, you can see the sharpness of those shown here.
(I actually tried placing this on my head with the thorns pressing against my scalp...very poignant)

 

 

A cross reminds us of Jesus' death and resurrection.
 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).  There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.   John 19:17
 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.    John 11:25

 

 

 

I made this Lent sign with some pictures of the events that we remember during this time.  Palm branches that were waved to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. The sign of the cross made with ashes placed on the forehead on Ash Wednesday.  The crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head by the soldiers that mocked him.

 

 

Can you imagine the pain of nails or spikes being pounded into your hands and feet while being nailed to a cross?
  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.      1 Peter 2:24
 

 

 

This greenery by the candle holder is representative of the palm branches the crowds waved as Jesus entered Jerusalem before he was crucified.
So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”   John 12:13
 

 

 

My dad made the wooden FAITH sign which provides the perfect "centerpiece" for this mantel decorated for Lent.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

                        
 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God--  not because of works, lest any man should boast.      Ephesians  2:8-9                      

 

 

The banner attached to the curtain rod below the mantel is the same one used for St. Patrick's Day but I replaced the shamrocks with crosses.

 

 

I kept the hearth area fairly simple.

 

 

The faux green grasses in this vase also represent the palm branches.

 

 

A candle inside a lantern reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12
 

 

 

I used burlap ribbon above the mirror and along the back of the FAITH sign to hide the wires from the white mini-lights strung there.

 

 

I am pleased that amidst the bunnies and spring décor I have in other areas of our home, I was able to create a main focal point in our living room to remind us of Lent (began Feb 18th this year with Ash Wednesday) and the events of Holy Week (begins with Palm Sunday on March 29th this year and ending with Holy Saturday).

  

Be sure to take some time during this Lenten season to reflect on the true reason for the season of Easter.  It really goes far beyond bunnies and colourful eggs as scripture points out in the bible verse below.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.         John 3:16

                                

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

If you'd like to see a Lenten tablescape, click here.

I'll be linking this post to these wonderful blog parties:

Saturday Sparks on Pieced Pastimes
Sunday Showcase at Under the Table & Dreaming
Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Show & Share at Coastal Charm
The Scoop at Stone Gable
Inspire Me Tuesdays at A Stroll Thru Life
Tuesday at Our Home at Our Home Away From Home
Tutorials & Tips at Home Stories A to Z
Talented Tuesdays at Home Remedies
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Swing into Spring at DIY by Design
What We Accomplished at Green Willow Pond
Share Your Style at Northern Nesting
What's It Wednesdays at Ivy & Elephants
Grace at Home at Imparting Grace
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Creative Ways at Posed Perfection
Foodie Friday & Everything Else at Rattlebridge Farm
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Weekend Retreat at AKA Design
Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home