Lenten Nature Table 2012

We just finished putting up our nature table to begin our Lenten journey in 2012. While there are some  familiar elements from last year, we've added a few new things as well. These symbols of our faith are powerful reminders that we are on a special journey with God during Lent.  We set aside more time to draw closer in relationship with our Creator, to allow him to change us, and allow him to prompt change in the world through us.

Below is our Christ Candle surrounded by the things we are finding in our park as of late. I love having the Christ Candle in our kitchen where so much real life takes place. We eat, talk, do homework, art and have breakdowns in that room. The Christ Candle is a gentle reminder that God is always there with me, no matter what our day may turn into. The leaves are from an evergreen bush much like holly and the berries are signs of life that show the winter is thawing. The red berries are called "Hagebutte" in German and they are often used to make tea. The white berries we call "Knallbeeren"("crack" berries), because they make a fun sound when you step on them.: ) And the dark berries we call "Vogelbeeren" (bird berries), because the birds love to eat them.

Four figures in the desert, one for each member of our family. This year, I let each person pick out their own figures. You can probably guess which ones are my son and daughter. A bowl of water reminds of God's power to cleanse and renew. It also reminds us of our baptism. And since our children have not yet been baptized, it reminds us to talk with them about what it is all about.

The puzzle pieces are from the Godly Play story, The Mystery of Easter. This is a brilliant story that helps children (and adults!) understand why we need six weeks of preparation to celebrate with God at Easter. In it, the storyteller and children put together a puzzle that is a cross. Since I couldn't fit my wooden cross puzzle on the window sill, I had the idea from  So Many Joys to make one out of felt.

The puzzle pieces become this . . . 

and then this . . .

The two colors represent both the deep sadness of the Crucifixion and pure joy of the Resurrection that we experience at Easter.

I couldn't resist picking up a yellow crocus to put on the table. These beautiful flowers are the heralds announcing that we are in a transition and that change is about to come. Also, our jar with the pictures of  the children we sponsor through World Vision. (More about that in an upcoming post!)

And on the kitchen table, we have a single pillar candle and a prayer pot that the children made last year. Over the next six weeks, we will put objects in it that go with specific prayers that will lead us up to Easter.

May you be blessed on your Lenten journey!






This post is linked to the 
Celebrating Lent Link-Up Party 




and The Magic Onions

and Catholic Icing

and Crafty Moms Share and Mama Mia's Heart 2 Heart

Autumn Nature Table

When chestnuts start falling from the trees, you know it is autumn in Berlin.  Last week, my daughter and I went to the park to pick up the beautiful chestnuts covering the ground. After she went to bed, I set up this autumn nature table for her.  Wenn die Kastanien überall auf dem Boden zu sehen sind, dann weiss man, die Herbst ist da. Letzte Woche haben meine Tochter und ich einen ganzen Korb voll von Kastanien im Park gesammelt. Nachdem die Kleine ins Bett gegangen ist, habe ich diesen Jahreszeittisch für sie aufgestellt.

I arranged silk "baskets" of chestnuts  . . . 

Ich habe seidene "Körbe" mit Kastanien . . . 

. . . and acorns from our last trip to the forest. Felt leaves and a beautiful piece of birch that we found on the forest floor help celebrate our Creator's breathtaking autumn palette. 

 . . . und Eicheln vom letzen Waldausflug gemacht. Filzblätter und ein tolles Stück Birke, das auf dem Waldboden lag, helfen uns die bunte Palette unseren Schöpfers zu feiern. 

A wooden candlestick from the Tabernacle reminds us that as the days grow shorter and darker, God's light is always there with us. Ein Kerzenständer aus Holz von der Stiftshüttegeschichte errinert uns daran, dass Gottes Licht und Wärme uns in den kommenden kurzeren und dunkeleren Tagen begleiten werden. 

The next day my daughter woke up and was pleased with what she saw. She immediately began playing with the chestnuts and wooden figures and added a few more nature treasures to the table. Then, she designed the table setting below for our dining table that is right next to the nature table. Am nächsten Tag ist meine Tochter aufgestanden und hat sich sofort über den Herbsttisch gefreut. Sie wollte sofort mit den Kastanien und Holzfiguren spielen und ergänzte alles mit noch ein paar Naturschätzen. Danach machte sie die Tischdeko unten für den Esstisch, der daneben steht. 

Happy Autumn!  If any of you have nature tables, please leave a link in the comments. I'd love to see them! Ich wünsche euch viel Herbstfreude!  Wenn ihr auch Jahreszeittische für die Herbst habt, dann würde ich sie gerne sehen. Also, hinterlasst bitte eine Link im Kommentarfeld. 

Linked to The Magic Onions

Raising Memories