The kids and I are anxious to get started on this devotional since we enjoyed the Christmas one so much. This devotional is designed to use the week leading up to Easter whereas the Christmas one was the entire month of December. If you want to get a copy for your family, click here.
Then, at the end of the week we will, Lord-willing, attend the Good Friday Service at our church. The following day we will head to my parents' for brunch with the whole family.This is becoming an annual tradition to do the day before Easter. On Easter we always head to my husband's Grandma's house for dinner and the kids do an Easter Egg Hunt there as well.
After brunch at my parents' we let the kids decorate Easter eggs. We put a hardboiled egg inside a whisk and it is MUCH easier to let them dye their own eggs this way. (I'm pretty sure I got this idea from Family Fun Magazine last year). This method works much better then having them try to balance the egg on a spoon or that flimsy little wire that comes in the box!
After decorating (or before!) we did an Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard. Thankfully I was able to pick up a lot more plastic eggs on clearance last year so it will be even more fun this year! Adam's Aunt has done an Easter Egg Hunt for his side of the family for years. (She really is a fun, fun aunt!) She hides all the plastic eggs and the kids collect them in a paper bag. Then at the end they all get a little goodie bag. I think I'll do the same idea and just pick up a fun gift for each of the kids at the $1 Store. Or, maybe I'll just put pennies inside all of the eggs. I haven't decided yet! :)
Looking for eggs!
On Easter morning we do very simple Easter baskets for each of the kids. This year I found some cute carrot shaped bubbles in the $1 section at Target along with some easter pencils and a couple other little things to put in their baskets. I also will give them The Parable of the Lily by Liz Curtis Higgs (I LOVE her Pine Tree Parable book. This Easter parable will be a new one for the kids). Of course, the kids like us to hide the eggs we decorated so they go on a hunt around the house. Even though when it's all said and done they've hunted for eggs 3 times they still don't tire of it. Last year they had me hiding eggs for about a week after Easter until I said enough is enough! :)
And, Lord-willing, we'll all be at church for the Cantata on Easter morning. I've heard it's very good and will have a power point accompanying it so I plan to have the kids sit in the service with us so they don't miss it!
I think that about sums up our plans for Easter! What Easter traditions do you do with your family? Also, just curious if you typically buy a new Easter outfit for your kids or is that something that has gone by the wayside in our modern era? :)
**I was not paid to write the review for the Easter devotional. I received a copy to keep for the purpose of review.
2 comments:
A friend of mine told me about these cookies last year. They are a great visual for kids regarding the true meaning of Easter. And they can eat them too! : )
Julie McGhee
The Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter.
You need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
A 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 sin.
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 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.
NOW 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 Matt. 28:1-9
Share "The Easter Cookie Story" With Your Friends
We always have two Easters, a very traditional baskets and egg hunt one on the Gregorian (Western) Easter date, and then we make pysanky and celebrate Orthodox Easter with a traditional Ukrainian feast on the Julian date. The two dates do not often coincide, but when they do, we make it work.
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