Ascension Day Traditions

Ascension Day is a celebration of the day that Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). It is traditionally celebrated 40 days after Easter as part of the Easter season that lasts from Easter Sunday to Pentecost (50 days after Easter).

Here are some ideas for celebrating the Ascension of Jesus:

1. Discuss the Significance of Ascension Day: Barbara Rainey (From Family Life) has some great ideas and questions to discuss as a family on her Ever Thine Home website.

2. Read the Story of Jesus’ Ascension: Read the account of Jesus’ ascension in Acts 1 or enjoy a good illustrated version like “Jesus Returns to Heaven” (the story is written as a poem) by Arch Books:

3. Watch a Video Re-enactment of the Ascension: The below options can be found on my YouTube Ascension Day Video Clip Playlist . . .

He Is Risen: A short clip from the Nest Entertainment animated Bible series.

Risen: The ascension scene from the popular 2016 movie.

The A.D. Series: A clip from the popular NBC series. This is a spectacular portrayal of the ascension!

The Jesus Film: A clip from the most translated movie about Jesus in history.

4. Sing a Hymn or Praise Song: The below options can be found on my YouTube Ascension Day Songs and Hymns Playlist . . .

All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name (Paul Baloche)

Crown Him With Many Crowns (Hymn Charts)

He is Exalted (Shane and Shane)

I See the Lord Seated on the Throne (Chris Falson)

Lord I Lift Your Name on High (Hillsong)

5. Enjoy Artwork Depicting the Ascension of Christ: Many famous paintings of the Ascension of Christ are available to view on Wikimedia. For young ones, you can print coloring pages from Google that depict the ascension.

“Ascension,” by John Singleton Copley, 1775, Wikimedia.

6. Serve Creative Food: Check out the cute “sky parfaits” at Crafty Crow and the “cloud cookies” at Daye by Daye.

7. Make a Craft: April’s Homemaking has a creative paper cup craft with a string that makes Jesus “ascend” into the clouds and Catholic Inspired has a cool glowing cloud craft.

9. Coloring and Activity Pages: You can print coloring pages from Google that depict the Ascension. Two of my favorite pages are designed by Catholic Playground — click the images below to link to the site.