Advent is upon us!
Here once again is my free “Advent Lectio Divina for Families.” This guide is very popular because it’s easy to use, and I’ve provided everything you need to lead your children in “Lectio Divina.”
Get the GUIDE!
Lectio divina is an old monastic form of meditation on a passage from scripture. Four stages (or movements) in lectio take you deeper into contemplating the scripture passage.
Why would we want to pray with scripture?
Scripture is the living word of God and one of the ways he communicates with us. Scripture is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Lectio includes moments of quiet reflection, which calms our minds so we become more aware of God’s presence. Praying with scripture helps us to listen to God during our prayers; so we learn to converse with God rather than always talking at him.
Is it possible to pray lectio divina with kids?
Yes! I have prayed lectio with my kids for many years, and I can tell you that it is a wonderful way to guide children in contemplative prayer and the beauty of Sacred Scripture. I find that my older children, in particular, benefit from this habit of meditation. Younger children won’t always comprehend intellectually the scripture passages, and this is okay. They still experience the graces of the Holy Spirit and their hearts will begin to be shaped by what they hear.
How do you pray lectio divina with kids?
My basic suggestion for praying lectio with children of any age: help them find some connection between the passage and their own lives. The reflection questions in my guide should give you a place to start.
In the guide, I adapt resources that I found on the USCCB’s website. I’ve included an explanation of lectio, a snapshot of the four stages of lectio, reflection questions, and prayers.
I’ve also included full-page images that you can use for visio divina. Visio divina is a twist on lectio divina: you use an image for your contemplation instead of the scripture passage, or you can use both scripture and the image. I really enjoy leading children in visio divina; they are very responsive to visual beauty.
God bless you as you begin your Advent journey with your children. O Come, Emmanuel!