Matariki Winter Solstice

With our log burner out of action, the usual plan of camping in front of the fire with takeaways and movies needed a bit of tweaking.  Mummy got inspired by the blog at Liturgy to make the evening special.

We followed the Matariki theme by decorating the room with stars.

We still started with a takeaway "picnic" in the lounge.

Then R read a poem from school about winter.

M read a poem that Mummy had written:

     Hope
     After the darkest night comes morning
     After the coldest winter comes spring

     After hurting comes healing

     After brokenness comes restoration

Then we wrote some prayers of things we hope for onto some stars to add to our Matariki stars.

My prayer: I hope that spring comes soon and no more earthquakes happen

I hope for fewer shakes and for rebuilding

Then we had some yummy dessert.

After dessert, Mummy turned the lights out, so it was all dark.  Then she lit a candle and M read:

 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5, New International Version)

 ¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, New International Version)

Then we used the big candle to light a small candle each.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, New International Version)

We spent a minute thinking silently about how we can be like light to people who need it.  Then Daddy prayed.

After that we folded out the sofa bed and watched a movie all snuggled up.

M and Mummy camped in the lounge on the sofa bed overnight.