As we reflect this week upon the true meaning of Easter I thought I'd share a couple activities I'm doing w/ my kiddos! I bought some Resurrection Eggs at Mardel and everyday this week we've been opening a couple eggs. Each egg contains a symbol of the Easter story. It comes with a booklet that tells a little bit of the story w/ the corresponding egg. The kids look forward to opening a new egg each day and reviewing the previous days. You can purchase them HERE or make your own with instructions HERE.
Something else we plan to do is make Resurrection Cookies! You will need to make these the night before Easter Sunday. Here's the recipe...
You need to preheat the oven to 300 degrees (this is important--don't wait until you are half done with the recipe!)
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
A pinch salt
1 cup sugar
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9
HE IS RISEN!!!
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We love the Resurrection Cookies! Just doing the story with them, and letting them do it too, and then to see their faces when the cookies are empty! They are amazed!
ReplyDeleteSo, do you mean to tell me that making Easter Bunny Cake Pops don't leave a legacy???? ;)
We love the special eggs-I just made some resurrection eggs tonight to share at our Day School at church in the morning :-) Loving your blog friend!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to doing these with lindyn when she is older...maybe next year! I may try them this year though ;)
ReplyDeleteListening to "My Redeemer Lives" and reading your post about Easter brought tears to my eyes. I LOVE both of these ideas and will be going to Mardel TODAY! I was immediately saddened by the thought that we might be rushed Sunday morning because Lucas and I both are in the band for this week. Man, STUFF is getting in the way of truly spending time with God. What a reality check. Thanks for helping me see this!
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