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Wednesday, March 1, 2017

A Lenten Display for the Home

This year, with the onset of March, instead of heading straight for the usual spring decor, I decided I first wanted to create an area in our home that reflects the liturgical season we are in which is Lent.
 Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent.



Lent is a time (the 6 weeks preceding Easter) where we examine our sinful nature and reflect on the tremendous sacrifice Jesus Christ made on our behalf, dying on the cross for our sins.  Through His death and resurrection, we have forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life.

For my lenten display, I grouped various items together which help us remember the different events that took place in the days leading up to Jesus' death.

Below are faux leaves which represent the palm branches which were waved to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. 
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


This rooster symbolizes the following bible verse where Jesus predicts that Peter will deny knowing Him.
"Before the Rooster crows, you will have denied me three times"   Matthew 26:34 

This Bible is open to the chapter which depicts Peter's denial of Jesus.
(Peter denies knowledge of Jesus - Mark 16:66-72)

The burlap bag and coins represent the "30 pieces of silver" Judas received for betraying Jesus.   
  “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.  Matthew 26:15

This weathered cross reminds us of Christ's crucifixion.  
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

The wheat and grapes symbolize the bread and wine of Communion which Jesus instituted during The Last Supper.
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body."  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."   Matthew 26:26 -28


I placed a couple of red napkins in the display to remind us of  the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross. 
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.    Ephesians 1:7

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

The candlelight reminds us that Jesus came to be "a light to 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

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16

Pussywillow branches symbolize the promise of new life we have in the Resurrection of Jesus which we will celebrate at the end of Lent on Easter Sunday.
 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 
 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.        Matthew 28:5-6

Do you have any decor items that you could use to remind you that it is Lent?  While it is fun to see all the bunnies and Easter decor out, having an area in your home decorated in a more somber tone is a good reminder of Jesus' love for us at this special time of year.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

During the next 6 weeks, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer and thoughtful reflection on your relationship with God. Read your bible, do daily devotions. Perhaps you might want to give up a food item that you enjoy or abstain from an activity as a personal sacrifice.

By doing so, you will be all the more eager and ready to celebrate the true meaning of Easter when it arrives (on April 16th this year).
Jesus said , “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.    John 11:25

Please note that my blog posts may be fewer over the next while as I take the time to concentrate on my Lenten disciplines. 

Thanks for visiting!
I'll be linking this post to these wonderful blog parties:
Saturday Sparks on Pieced Pastimes
Share it One More Time at Everyday Home
A Bouquet of Talent  at Life on Lakeshore Drive
Sundays at Home at Love of Home
Silver Pennies Sunday at Silver Pennies
Dishing It & Digging It at Rustic & Refined
Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Show & Share at Coastal Charm
Celebrate Your Story at Celebrate & Decorate
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
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs Olson
Home Matters at Life with Lorelai
Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Foodie Friday & Everything Else at Rattlebridge Farm
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

19 comments:

  1. Lori, this is a wonderful and beautiful display for the Lent season. It is a beautiful reminder of what the Easter season is truly all about. Thank you for sharing your gift and talent, God bless you!

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  2. Lori, I hope you don't mind, I just posted the link to your blog on my Facebook page. Your post is just too beautiful not to share :-)

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  3. Great post. I've never thought to decorate for lent. What a great idea. I will take time to reflect.

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  4. Lori, what a beautiful display for Lent. Love your message. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  5. This is a beautiful and thoughtful display for Lent. Thanks for sharing it. You have given me some good ideas.

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  6. thank you for your very informative and amazingly beautiful post. loved it.

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  7. Very reflective and beautiful display for such an important and Holy Season! Thank you! God bless you!
    Laura

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  8. Lori I love your Lenten display. What a wonderful way to visually remind you and your family on a daily basis the reason for Lent. Beautifully done!
    XO Barbara

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  9. Lori, this is one of the most meaningful posts and vignettes that I have seen. Every object used points to the scripture and is a beautiful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, so that we can be forgiven. Thanks so much, I truly love your Lenten vignette...Perfect!

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  10. Beautiful displays and wonderful reminder! I never really knew what lent was about. You explained it so nicely. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  11. Hello, Lori
    What a thoughtful post this is. During the Lenten season, I always refrained from putting out the Easter decorations. But I never thought to put out a display of Lenten reminders. This could be a new tradition for me. Thank you for this meaningful reminder.
    Catherine

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  12. I have never seen this type of Lenten display before. It looks very nice, and what a great way to remember what the season is about. Thanks for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty - be sure to link up again on Friday!

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  13. A wonderful display, thanks for sharing, I really like it and it is very inspiring to do something similar!

    Katherine

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  14. Lori, such a beautiful and inspiring post. Love your Lenten vignette! xxx Maria

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  15. Very nice idea to remind us of everything Christ did for us! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  16. Lori,
    Beautiful. You have such an awesome talent. Thank you so much for sharing this inspiring display with us on Brag About It. Pinned to share.
    ~Laurie

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  17. Beautiful display! Thanks for sharing at Dishing It & Digging It! :)

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  18. I've never seen anything like this and it is beautiful! How creative and mindful of you to take this route instead of the traditional spring decor. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.

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  19. This is so beautiful...I thank you!
    I did the altar at church just before Ash Wednesday, with some of the same things that you used. I will steal your idea and take my rooster for a visit. He is about 60 years old, but will be glad to help us out until Holy Week!
    Again my thanks,
    J

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