Celebrating the Transfiguration with Kids

The Feast of the Transfiguration is a special feast in the Catholic Church, and it's a wonderful opportunity to deepen the understanding and faith of little ones. On August 6th, we celebrate the moment when Jesus revealed His divine glory to three of His closest disciples - Peter, James, and John.

As the Gospel of Matthew tells us, Jesus took these three apostles up a high mountain, and there "he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light." (Matthew 17:2) But that's not all - the story gets even more amazing. Suddenly, the great prophets Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. This showed the disciples that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah).

What a powerful moment that must have been for the disciples! Imagine seeing your friend and teacher suddenly shining with divine light, and then witnessing the appearance of two of the most important figures from the Old Testament. No wonder Peter wanted to build three tents to commemorate the occasion.

The Transfiguration is a beautiful reminder that Jesus is truly the Son of God. He is not just a good teacher or a wise prophet - He is the Messiah, the long-awaited Savior. By revealing His glory to the disciples, Jesus was preparing them for the difficult days ahead, when He would suffer, die, and rise again.

As you celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration with your family, there are lots of fun ways to bring the story to life for your kids. You could make a craft, you could read the Scripture passage together and talk about what it means, and you can eat traditional feast day foods. This feast is also a wonderful opportunity to gather together as a family and pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.

Craft Ideas for the Feast of the Transfiguration

• Make a stained glass window using tissue paper and black construction paper
• Create a diorama of the mountain scene, with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
• Decorate a picture frame with glitter, sequins, and other shiny materials
• Make a paper crown to represent Jesus' divine glory
• Traditional Feast Day Foods
  

Scripture Reflection

Read the account of the Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-8. Discuss these questions with your kids:

• Why do you think Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to witness this event?
• What do you think the disciples were feeling and thinking as they saw Jesus' face shining like the sun?
• How does the appearance of Moses and Elijah show that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets?
• What does the Transfiguration teach us about who Jesus really is?

Feast Day Traditions

At one point in time the feast of the Transfiguration included the blessing of grapes and wheat (this is still the case in some Eastern Catholic liturgies).  According to the medieval document known as The Golden Legend, "In some churches, on this day, the Blood of Christ is consecrated from new wine—when new wine can be made and is available—or at least a ripe grape is squeezed into the chalice. Also on this day clusters of grapes are blessed." It explains; "The reason for this is that the Lord, at the Last Supper, said to his disciples: 'I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.' Since the Transfiguration is a foretaste of that heavenly kingdom, the first fruits are blessed.

Today would be a great day to share a meal with grapes and bread as a reminder of the Eucharist, Christ's Transfiguration and Resurrection, and the importance of offering our "first fruits" to Christ.