1.Learn about it: by accessing the Bozhy Dity (God’s Little Children) lesson on the Edmonton Eparchy Website. Hear about this amazing day in the life of the Church and have fun making Pentecost Pinwheels here: https://eeparchy.com/bozhy-dity-gods-little-children/
- Decorate with any greenery you can find (have some trees or bushes that you need to prune?). Decorate the children’s bedrooms, the interior and the exterior of the house. Talk about why we decorate our houses and our churches with greenery on the Feast of Pentecost. The rustling of the leaves on the trees reminds us of the Holy Spirit who came like a rush of wind. We also understand that the Holy Spirit is the “giver of life” and green is symbolic of life. When grass or leaves are green, we know that they are alive!
- Take a Holy Spirit Walk. Find a place to walk in nature that is quiet. Take along your pinwheels allowing the wind to blow them. Find a nice place to sit and take in the beauty of creation. Try to have some silence (as much as you can depending on the age of your children ). We hear the voice of God best in the silence. After a while, pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit. (Find it at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy Pew book, in “Beneath the Mantle of your Mercy” prayer book Pg. 80 or on the Edmonton Eparchy website.)
Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth,
who are everywhere present and fill all things,
Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of life.
Come and dwell within us. Cleanse us of all that defiles us,
and O Good One, Save our souls.
Talk about how it is so amazing to understand that the Holy Spirit is everywhere and filling all things! We said it in the prayer! Sometimes its just good to sit and think about that and be grateful to God.
- Blow Bubbles and watch as the bubbles fly up into the air. What is taking them there? The wind! Talk about how we believe in things that we cannot see. We cannot see the wind, but we know that it is taking the bubbles up. We can feel it on our skin too. We cannot see love, but we know it exists. We feel it in our hearts. It makes us happy. We cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we know He exists. We see and feel the goodness that the Holy Spirit brings. Some of the things that the Holy Spirit gives us are peace, love, joy, courage and wisdom.
Read the Scripture: The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Bubbles: Measure 6 cups of water into a container. Pour 1 cup of dish soap into the water and slowly stir it until the soap is mixed in. Add ¼ cup sugar. Use a variety of items for bubble wands: slotted spoons, strainers, fly swatters, plastic pop can rings, badminton racquets. Have fun with the bubbles!
- Pray together: At the end of the day remember the gift of the Holy Spirit. Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit in front of your icon corner or with everyone snuggled in bed. Try this one: Come Holy Spirit, fill us full with love, joy, hope, patience, strength and courage to spread your message of joy and love in everything we say and in everything we do. Amen
Or pray the prayer to the Holy Spirit again.