Celebrating Easter

At our house we love to talk about the Resurrection.  If you ask Fletcher if Jesus is still dead, he will start to laugh and joyfully shout, "No! He's alive!" Then he will proceed to sing My Jesus is Alive... it's so sweet! So you can imagine how excited we are that Easter, the holiday remembering Christ's conquering work over death, is upon us. Here are some of the ideas that we have in store to celebrate the week:

The Jesus Story Book Bible
Reading this book is a standard activity during our day. It is a superb way to teach children a cross-centered view of the Bible. Throughout this week we are going to read a story pertaining to the Holy Week, ending with Christ's resurrection!




Resurrection Easter Eggs
Each egg contains a tiny object lesson describing what Christ did for us through his suffering, death, and resurrection.


Resurrection Cookies 

(I'm REALLY excited about this one!)


3 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vinegar
pinch of salt
wooden spoon
Ziploc bag
Bible
Tape (Packing tape works best)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon until broken into small pieces.  Read John 19:1-3 and remind them that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

2. Let each child smell (or taste) the vinegar.  Pour 1 tsp into the mixing bowl.  Read John 19:28-30 and explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar.  Eggs represent life. Read John 10:10-11 Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it, then brush it into the bowl.  Read Luke 23:27.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed Jesus' followers as well as the bitterness of our own sin.

5. Add 1 cup sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because of His great love for us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat with mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.  Explain that the color white represents the purity of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

7. Fold in the broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper (or parchment). Read Matt. 27:57-60.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

8. Place the cookie sheet into the preheated oven.  Close the door and turn the oven OFF.  Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.  Read Matt 27:65-66.  Explained that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

9. Go to bed.  Read John 16:20 and 22.  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus' followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed.

10. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are empty!! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt 28:1-9. HE HAS RISEN!!!

He is risen indeed.