⁴ Since Joseph belonged to David’s house and family line, he went up from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to David’s city, called Bethlehem, in Judea. ⁵ He went to be enrolled together with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage and who was pregnant. (Luke 2.4-5)

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on one’s spiritual and faith journey. There are many themes you could focus on. This particular one focuses on the word “preparation.” It may seem odd to read Luke 2, a very Christmas-y text, on the first Sunday of Lent. But I had been preaching a series that started with Mary’s Song in Luke 1, focusing on ability to have faith in a God who has proven to be faithful. In Luke 2, I didn’t focus on the birth of Christ, but the spiritual preparation that Mary and Joseph had in order to be willing to trust in God to embark on an unknown journey. The following weeks, I plan to preach on Luke 3 which is typically preached on Baptism of the Lord Sunday and end with Luke 4 on the last Sunday of Lent – wanting to closely link the role of baptism with the Lenten season.

Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on the theme of preparation through the stories of Christ’s birth, temptation, and Lenten season. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational, which means that there are adapted instructions for children ages 2-4. You can see more pics here. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”)

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Prepare for Birth

Materials: Long strips of paper, Markers, Manger

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Prepare for Wilderness

Materials: Sand, Wading Pool or some way to hold the sand, Long Sticks

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Prepare for Lent

Materials: “Photo a Day” Instructions (adapted from UMC Rethink Lent Challenge), a variety of photos, Pens, a mobile of ribbons, clothes pins