Children's Sunday School Lent Activity: The traditions of Lent - The Legend and tradition of the Lenten Pretzel

This pretzel is upside-down!

Yes, the pretzel really does relate to Lent - and prayer!
No, it isn't in the Bible, but neither is Lent.
Yes it goes all the way back to the early church - at least 600AD or possilby even to 300AD! It's about tradition, and prayer and it's a marvelous tool to capture children's interest.

The Word download document includes the story which you can read aloud to the class, questions, and more.

If you bring twisted pretzels, put them in a bowl in the center of the table but do not pass them out until after the story. Do encourage children to look at them.

Alternately, you can find our paper pretzel activity in our Lent section soon.

At the end of the story, Make pretzel prayer arms and say the prayer. If this sounds cryptic, it should be clear after you have read the legend o f the pretzel.

What makes it a legend? Not a lot of real proof, however, in the Vatican archives- the seat of the Catholic church - they seem to have a document from the early church that speaks of the pretzel!

Be sure to complete your Seasons of the Church wheel with the dates for Lent and Easter this year!