I’m always saying I have such talented friends.

And it just keeps being true.

Two such gifted friends have collaborated and have created a beautiful Holy Week Advent calendar.

 

 

I wish I could say that I am intentional about talking to my kids about Easter in a planned or intentional way.  I’m not.  (In fact, I’m usually a little surprised every year as it seems to sneak up on me.)  This calendar is a simple and lovely way to engage your own heart and to guide your family in preparation for Easter Sunday.

I’ve shared my friend Beth’s work before.  She’s a talented artist with beautiful hand lettering and everything she writes just seems important because the letters are so pretty.  (She has an Etsy shop called Vital Signs.)  Also, she’s very funny and I highly value funny.

 

 

Beth created the lettering and the art on the Holy Week calendar.  There are eight days and eight cards to help bring focus and to walk through the Holy Week, to build up to the cross and the resurrection and to guide you in thinking and meditating on the events in the life of Christ.

My dear friend Jo worked alongside Beth and crafted beautiful and meaningful words in a short devotional for each day.  (I know I’ve shared Jo’s work before as well but it’s always been quilts and amazing sewing projects.  She’s a talented writer as well.  A woman of many skills.  Also a great photographer as all of my photos on this post were taken by Jo.)

 

 

I love that they worked together and it’s extra special to me to have my friend’s thoughtful words as a reminder and a guide to direct my thoughts and my heart during the week.  Although the calendar is not exactly designed as a family read aloud or read along, I am confident it will work very well for that, as well as for my own personal reflection.  And I plan to read each card daily with the kids over breakfast or at dinner.

The cards are beautiful.  They come with two different methods of displaying them – twine and tiny clothespins or a ring for binding them together.  Of course, you could also set them on an easel each day or use cute washi tape on your wall – whatever makes you happy and works for your space, of course.  (Options – you gotta love that.)

 

 

I’ve always created calendars and countdowns to Christmas and been diligent about directing our hearts and our days during that holiday season.  Easter is incredibly important and significant and I am sad to say that I have never drawn enough attention to that experience or the significance in a special way in our family.

I think these cards will be a wonderful way to do that.  Even having them up all week is a visual and steady reminder that something is coming, that an important day is approaching. The simple turning over of the card each day to reveal a new picture and a new reminder in words will be valuable to help us bring direction and intention to the focus on Jesus coming to our rescue.

You can order the cards now from Beth’s Etsy site and there will be plenty of time for them to get to you the week before Easter.

 

 

 

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