Last year, we didn't go trick or treating, but we did knock on some doors. We took the kids to the homes of a few friends and family. They used some homemade wooden hammers(that my hubs helped me make)it and knocked on the doors saying, "Happy Reformation Day!"
Martin Luther used a wooden hammer or mallet to nail his 95 Theses (or statements) on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. While it may seem weird to hammer something to a church door, it wasn't actually uncommon. The church door served as a bulletin board of sorts. These statements outlined his disagreement with the teachings of the church at that time--namely that salvation was being "sold." Luther emphasized that salvation was through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
So we gave each little one their own hammer to run around banging on doors. It was a huge hit. When friends opened the doors, we gave them these little cards, which the kids colored earlier in the day. On the back of the cards are a few facts about Reformation Day. And, of course in exchange the kiddos got some sweet treats. Here's the PDF for the cards so you can print out (back to back) and make some of your own.
To make your own wooden hammers, simple drill a hole in a wooden block and fit a wooden dowel into the space. I also used some wood glue so it would hold up through some major hammering.
You can also purchase one here.
Hey there. Wendy turned me onto this after reading my blog post on Reformation Sunday (http://www.zachicks.com/blog/2009/10/22/reformation-sundaywishing-more-worship-leaders-were-equipped.html). It's encouraging to see this kind of thought going into family training, and these are some great ideas for me and my family. Thank you! I'm hopeful this Reformation Sunday will be a good one. Blessings!
Zac
Posted by: Zac Hicks | October 23, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Hi! I'm a friend of Amy McClean's. I love reading your blog. I've got lots of ideas for Christmas gifts now! And love all the stuff with your kids, my boy is 1 year, so when he gets a little older we're planning on doing some of these! Thanks for writing :)
Posted by: Megan | October 26, 2009 at 07:54 AM
Love this idea too! I'm pinning it...hope that is ok =)
Posted by: Amy | September 07, 2012 at 06:33 AM