A gathering prayer for children

Circulate cotton cloths with drops of lavender oil on one, and frankincense on the other for people to smell, and water and bread to touch.

Scented oil reminds us of Mary,
kneeling at Jesus’ feet –
preparing him for his journey to the cross.
Frankincense reminds us of the magi,
who knew even at his birth,
that Jesus was God’s rescue plan.
Water reminds us of baptism,
Jesus’ baptism and ours,
cleansing and quenching our thirst.
Bread reminds us that we are invited
to a meal – a celebration of Jesus’ life.
We are on a journey with Jesus,
preparing, remembering, getting ready.
It is good to be here,
to be on this journey together;
a journey towards the cross and beyond it,
into Jesus’ new life.
Amen.