Here’s a simple and fun activity for you to do as a family as you live Liturgically. Make “cloud jello” for the feast of the Ascension of our Lord! I am always a fan of incorporating food into any feast day, especially for children! In addition to it being obviously yummy, it’s also a great sensory experience to help kids connect the element of the story that Jesus Ascended into heaven on a cloud, and as the scriptures tell us “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Check out this recipe below for Cloud JELL-O Parfaits and make your own delicious clouds!

Cloud JELL-O Parfaits for the Ascension

Total time: 3 Hours, 20 Mins (includes refrigeration time), Prep: 20 mins

Who doesn’t like a fun symbolic recipe to help us remember a Special Feast Day? These recipes are not only fun but they help children remember the details of Christ’s ascension into heaven!

What You Need:

2 pkg. (3 oz. each) JELL-O Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin
2 cups cold water
2 cups boiling water
1 can of whipped cream

Directions:

Add boiling water to gelatin mixes in medium bowl; stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Pour into 13x9-inch dish. Refrigerate 2-4 hours or until gelatin is set but not firm.
Use fork to break gelatin into small flakes. Spoon 2 Tbsp. gelatin into each of 8 parfait glasses; top with a squirt of whipped cream, pressing it against the side of glass. Repeat layers. Top with remaining gelatin. Enjoy!

Discussion:

Here’s a fun challenge: Read the story of Jesus’ Ascension into heaven the scriptures (Acts 1) and allow your kids to assemble the jello recipe (see above)! Discuss how Jesus Ascended into heaven on a cloud, being the first human to ever go to heaven. Remember, prior to this, everyone who died before Jesus was in Hades. After his death on the cross, Jesus descended into hades to set the captives free. After that, He rose from the dead “trampling down death by death”. After living among his disciples for 40 days, he Ascended into heaven on a cloud. Jesus not only went to heaven, but the Scriptures tell us He was seated at the right hand of the Father (Mark 16:19). Whatever Jesus does, he paves the way for us. God did not create us to return to the dust that he created us from. He breathed life into us and intended for us to live with HIM. But because of sin, death entered into the world, making it so we couldn’t live with God any longer. So Jesus has made a way for us to have life with Him and to return to the Father in heaven. He is our Savior. Because of his death, resurrection and ascension, we now have a path to be with God too. We can thank Jesus for that! How wonderful, and caring and loving is our Savior! It’s sure to be a simple (and fun) lesson your kids won’t easily forget!