The Ayyám-i-Há holiday begins each year at sunset on February 25 and ends at sunset on March 1st. Of this period Bahá'u'lláh writes: "It behoveth the people of Bahá, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name."
To get the kids excited about Ayyám-i-Há, while keeping the focus on service and community (as opposed to gifts although there is some of that as well!), I decided to do a countdown this year. After some consideration, I chose to make the countdown for the entire month prior to the holiday. In the Baha’i calendar the months are 19 days long so our countdown calendar has 19 cups, each with a 9 pointed star. On each star is a number that represents how many days left until Ayyám-i-Há.
Every morning we remove one cup so they can see how many days are left. Inside each cup is a slip of paper with an activity on it for the day. Activities include:
Family Movie Night
Make valentines for friends
Listen to "The New Aba" and collect things we no longer want
Drop off donations to A Precious Child
Make and Mail cards for friends and family living far away
Clean up trash in neighborhood
Deliver Valentine’s Day cards to assisted living
Family Game Night
Make gifts for friends
“Secret Mission”
Deliver Donations to Food Bank
Call someone just to tell them we love them
Send Ayyam-i-Ha cards
Make Cookie Dough
Roll, Cut and Bake cookies
Decorate- hang banner, stars
Set-up Bowl w/ floating candles
The kids are getting increasingly excited for Ayyám-i-Há as am I!
Each day of the holiday will bring more activities and special events that I will share with you then. Enjoy your families and bring joy to those around you with the easiest act of kindness; a smile!
Blessings and Love,
Kim
