Children's Activities for the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
In the Catholic faith, the presentation of Jesus in the temple is known as Candlemas. Candlemas is celebrated annually on February 2nd. Candles are the main element of Candlemas to remind Christians of Luke 2:32, where Simeon calls Jesus "a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Crafts, activities and foods related to this feast center around candles.
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Traditional Activities
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Allow children to participate in a the traditional Candlemas activity in which candles are taken to the church to be blessed by a priest. Families bring the candles home and burn them as part of Sunday dinner and in times of sorrow or when protection is needed. For another activity, gather up all candles in the home into one room and light them using a central candle. Remind children that the light from the candles symbolizes that Jesus is light, as declared by Simeon at the temple. Read Luke 2 with children to give them a reference for the symbolism.
Candle Crafts
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Have children create their own candle crafts to celebrate the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Paint an empty toilet paper tube in any color except yellow. Bunch up yellow tissue paper and have it stick out the top of the tube for a homemade candle decoration. Melt several old crayons in a 260-degree oven, keeping the colors separate. Place a candle wick in an empty glass jar. Pour in one color of melted crayon. When the wax sets, add another color. Continue adding colors until approximately one inch of wick is left to create a colorful candle.
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Food
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Crepes are a traditional food to celebrate the presentation of Jesus in the temple because they symbolize a baby wrapped in swaddling. Let children help make crepes for a special Candlemas breakfast. For a snack, dip pretzel rods in melted yellow candy melts to create candles. Assign older children the task of researching what foods are eaten by other cultures that celebrate Candlemas, such as tamales and hot chocolate in Mexico, and help make some of those foods for a special Candlemas feast.
Other Activities
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Read Luke 2:22-39 with children and have them act out the events in the passage. Numerous paintings have been created to depict the presentation of Jesus in the temple. Print out copies of those paintings and share them with children. Have children create their own painting or drawing depicting the presentation of Jesus in the temple using the historical examples for inspiration.
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References
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