The Real Easter

This year I have tried to do more with Kyler in terms of helping him understand the true meaning of Easter. It's not all about the Easter bunny, hunting for eggs and eating candy. It is really about Jesus, our Lord & Savior who died for us.

I used the “Resurrection Eggs” with him over the last 12 days. We read a little from the Bible and the booklet that comes with the eggs, before opening each egg and discovering what is inside. Here is what they have inside:

Egg #1 – donkey to identify the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem.
Egg #2 – silver coins to symbolize the 30 pieces of silver Judas received to betray Jesus.
Egg #3 – cup for the wine symbolizing Jesus' blood.
Egg #4 – praying hands showing Jesus going to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane before being arrested.
Egg #5 – whip symbolizing the beating Jesus received.
Egg #6 – crown of thorns which the soldiers placed on Jesus' head.
Egg #7 – cross made of three nails representing the cross Jesus was nailed to.
Egg #8 – die in it showing how the solders played a game to decide who would take Jesus' clothes.
Egg #9 – spear showing how one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side while he hung on the cross.
Egg #10 – linen cloth symbolizing the linens Jesus' body was wrapped in when he was placed in the tomb.
Egg #11 – stone to show how the tomb was sealed shut.
Egg #12 – EMPTY demonstrating how Jesus rose from the tomb leaving it empty!

The Resurrection Eggs


In addition to doing the Resurrection Eggs, Kyler and I made Easter story cookies the night before Easter. It is a very fun way to teach young children about the real meaning of the Easter weekend. I will include the recipe and notes/Bible texts here in case anyone wants to use them next year. Kyler was really excited about it and it really seemed to help him “get” it. Then, on Easter morning, we were able to open the oven and find the hollow cookies! Kyler was so excited to take the seal off the tomb and see how they turned out. When we broke them open you could see they were hollow inside with some rocks (pecans). Such a great illustration of the empty tomb.

Of course, we did the traditional coloring of eggs and Easter egg hunt as well but I'll do another post with that.

Kyler with the supplies: pecans, zipper bag, wooden spoon, vinegar, egg whites, salt, and sugar

Kyler really got into the beating of the pecans - just check out his face!

Pouring in the egg whites while I read part of the story to Kyler

In the mixer getting whipped up

1 tray of cookies ready for the "tomb"

Kyler putting the tape seal on the tomb

Kyler removing the seal from the tomb

You can see the inside of the hollow, rocky tomb

The tomb cracked open with nothing inside


Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter

You need:
1 cup whole pecans
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important – don't wait until you're half done with the recipe)

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 sins. Read Luke 23:27

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup 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 Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 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 Isaiah 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 Matthew 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 Matthew 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 Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9