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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Jesus and the Easter Bunny


Easter is such an amazing day. A day that we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It often seems though that it can turned around into being all about the bunny (Veggie Tales Easter dvd is a must watch). Don't get me wrong, the Easter bunny is fun and cute (scary for some little ones, yikes!) and running around in your pretty outfits collecting candy filled eggs, who wouldn't love that day? But, it is easy to see how the true meaning and celebration can get lost in all the hub bub and materialism of this world we live in. Each holiday I feel the pull myself, the pull to get caught up in the what the world tells you that you "need" to do. When I start doing that I find myself getting stressed and frustrated that I can't keep up. Then I feel a gentle pull from my heavenly father, pulling me back to view it in its true perspective.  I am reminded that I am choosing to be in this world but not of it. So, to teach my kids that Easter is more than fluffy bunnies, fancy dresses and chocolate candy (really, who thought chocolate and fancy clothes were a good mix? Stain city!) I am going to be doing some fun Christ centered crafts and wanted to share them with you!

I found these craft ideas on a great site that I will definitely be using again called Toddler-Activities-at-Home. Wow! Some really great ideas to use with that fun toddler age! ;) Check out the ones I am doing below. Happy crafting and Happy Easter!


Jelly Bean Poem  
(Recommended ages 18 mos and up)
This idea has floated around the web for years and if I could give credit to the creator of it I would. It is a lovely visual way to remind little ones about that Jesus loved them so much that He was willing to lay down His life for them. You will need a bag of different coloured jelly beans and one cup or Ziploc bag per child taking part in this activity. Read this poem to them allowing them time to take a jelly bean of matching colour and place it in their cup or bag.

Red is for the blood He gave.
Green is for the grass He made.
Yellow is for the sunflowers so bright.
Black is for the dark of night.
White is for the grace He gave.
Orange is for the sun He made.
Purple is for the hours of sorrow.
Pink is for our new tomorrow.
A bag full of jelly beans,
colourful and sweet.
It's a prayer, a promise, and a child's treat.
May the risen Lord Bless you
this Easter and always



Resurrection Cookies
(Recommended ages 24 mos and up)

1 C whole pecans zipper baggie
1 tsp vinegar wooden spoon
3 egg whites tape
pinch salt Bible
1 C Sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
1. 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.

2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that
when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

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

4. 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.)

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

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

7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain
that each mount represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was lain. Read Matthew
27:57-60.

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF (DO NOT BAKE
COOKIES).

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was
sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

10. Go to bed! Explain to them that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven
overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed and they had to
leave. Read John 16:20 & 22.

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

1 comment:

  1. I am totally doing these cookies with the kids - I've got to get some eggs :)

    ReplyDelete