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 | sunrise comes early |
Anyone have tips on bringing kids to an Easter sunrise service? We’ve never done that before, but we’re considering it this year. We don’t usually get going before eight o’clock in the morning around here, and we would have to be at “church” (or actually at a public place about twenty minutes away from our house, but let’s call it church to keep things simple) at something like 6:30am. It will be cold. It will be outdoors. There will be hundreds of people attending.
For the older kids, this is kind of an adventure (though it will require them to get up two hours early and miraculously not be cranky). For the younger two, I’m thinking it will mostly be confusing (and will require them to wake up two hours early and then maybe take a nap right after).
Thoughts? Should I have the kids sleep in their clothes? Can I scoop oatmeal into mugs the night before, then heat them up and bring them in the car for breakfast on the go? Shall I start praying now that no one will need to use a restroom in the middle of the service? What else am I not thinking of?
Hmmm. Not sure I’m going to offer a ringing endorsement for the earlybird Easter special. Last time I went to one of these, I volunteered to be in the band. And get there early. For a year that Easter fell on Daylight Savings. So we were there at about 4:00 am. In the (VERY) dark and cold. And then our music director made us sing a calypso arrangement of “lord I lift your name on high.”
Wouldn’t going at 6:30 with four children be about equivalent to that experience?
But I’m all for adventure.
Actually–who am I kidding? I’m really not about adventure. I like hot tea and toast and a good book with (not too gory) murders.
I still remember asking Dyami if he was going to be in the band (this was before we were dating). He gave me a look like, “You volunteered for _what?_”
So… are you saying you want to come with us?
That sounds like a good way to re-enact Christ’s days between the crucifixion and the resurrection. Very authentic.
For my kid, who used to naturally get up at the crack of dark, this would have worked beautifully. But honestly? I think Cindy makes an excellent point.
Wailing and gnashing of teeth? Hmm.
Oh yes, very in the spirit of suffering, death, and resurrection.
Practical suggestions? Sleep in clothes. Pack jackets, blankets, and hats in the car. Have something fun and different for breakfast so that the kids are distracted and hopefully less cranky (I would think you would lose precious time warming that oatmeal or cleaning up the ensuing mess). And know that God must reward someone willing to take four kids to a sunrise Easter service.
The tenor of these comments is maybe less than encouraging.
So did you go this morning?
Totally went. Am now so tired I cannot see straight. More later.
this post was worth reading for the highly entertaining comments. can’t wait for a review of the actual experience!