Pentecost is this weekend, marking the end of the Easter season as the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and Mary. Pentecost is called the Birthday of the Church and is a great Feast Day to celebrate! Here is a great article if you want to learn more about Pentecost.
Celebrating a Feast Day doesn’t have to be elaborate or time consuming. In our home a celebration usually includes creating a little display (often with images printed from the internet), some type of themed food and a book/prayer/discussion. I find themed food helps build a little excitement and draws them in to the learning/prayer piece. If I’m really on top of my game I might throw in an activity or craft.
Here are some fun, easy ways to celebrate Pentecost in your home, many of which can be pulled off at the last minute!
1. Wear red to church. Of course attending Mass is the first way to celebrate! Red is the liturgical color for the feast, and wearing red is a great way to recognize the day. It can also be a great conversation starter with your kids!
2. Listen to Holy Spirit themed music. Some of my favorite contemporary Christian music falls into this category. I love:
- Holy Spirit – Francesca Battistelli
- Oceans- Hillside United
- Breathe on Us- Kari Jobe
- Fullness- Elevation Worship
- Here as in Heaven- Elevation Worship
3. Color. If you have kids (or adults) in your home that love to color here are a few coloring pages that I like. Play some music and pull out the markers! Here are some fun free coloring pages.
4. Pray together. This feels a little bit like a no brainer, but here are some special prayers to the Holy Spirit that would be perfect for the day.
Novena to the Holy Spirit– This is often said on the 9 days leading up to Pentecost, but I can’t imagine there is a bad time to start a Novena.
5. Themed food. Can you even celebrate a Feast Day without themed food? Yes, the answer is yes, but gosh themed food is fun. Here are a few fun ideas for Pentecost. Several ideas require a dove cookie cutter, which I realize you might not have on hand. I grabbed one on Amazon, I figured, Lord willing, we will have 4 confirmations and of course Pentecost every year, so it might come in handy.
- Tongues of fire snack tray- think red/orange foods: strawberry, red or orange bell peppers, Doritos, cheese slices cut into flame shapes
- Dove inspired snack tray- white foods would be great to symbolize the Holy Spirit, often associated with the white dove. Popcorn, cheese sticks, marshmallows, chocolate covered pretzels.
- Fruits of the Holy Spirit Fruit Salad- any combination of 12 fruits* to represent the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit, if you don’t want to mix all the varieties lay them out on a tray.
- 7 -gifts of the Holy Spirit- layer dip- traditional 7 layer dip to represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit
- Use the Grill. I think grilling burgers or other foods would be perfect given the importance of the tongues of fire! Serve with tongues of fire chips aka Doritos and fruit salad and you are set!
- Dove shaped sandwiches. For an easy lunch use a cookie cutter to make dove shaped sandwiches!
- Tongues of fire dessert. Top any dessert with strawberries (with the tops cut off) and you are set! Brownies, ice cream and whipped cream…place a strawberry on top and it’s liturgical! Same goes for a cake or cupcakes!
- Birthday cake. Since it is the birthday of the church a birthday cake would be perfect. Add strawberries on top or candles and use a “mighty wind” to blow it out.
- Dove shaped rice Krispy treats. Use a cookie cutter to cut out doves and then dip in white chocolate. Add an eye with a mini chocolate chip.
6. Have a family bon fire. Seems like the perfect feast day for a bon fire, you know with tongues of fire and all. I think gathering around the fire and praying would be very memorable…you could even enjoy some s’mores together!
*Read more about the 12 vs 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit here.
Here are the printables that I created for the day, please enjoy!
Happy Pentecost!
Megan
