Easter Eggs
Submitted by: Kenda

Another important Christian holiday is almost here!

Easter

This holiday has always been a favorite for myself and my family.  A special time to gather and remember the sacrifices made on our behalf.  We also celebrate the promise that our faith gives us of new life and renewal.
 I have seen Easter used as a time to discuss difficult issues with our children.  "Life and Death" and the "Birds and the Bees" are just a few examples.  Spring is arriving with new life happening all around us.  Winter is loosing its grip on us and our outlook on life is improving.

So many things could be discussed around Easter.  I have chosen something that can be shared with your children.  I am a Christian.  My children are raised in that manner.  When I arrived at work today a paper was given to me by a dear friend.  She wished to share its contents with myself and my children.  I have decided to share it with you so that if there are readers out there that share the same beliefs...well...you can pass it on.  It is a great way to share the Easter story with our younger generations!

You will need a picture of a donkey, a cracker of some kind, 2 nails, a rock, and 5 plastic eggs: 1 Blue, 1 Purple, 1 Yellow, 1 Green, and 1 Orange

Easter Eggs

Open the blue egg.  Let the child hold the donkey. (Use a picture of a donkey printed on your computer to go in the blue egg) Matthew 21:1-9

Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for Passover.  Some people cut palm branches from trees and handed them out for people to wave.  Some people laid their coats on the street like a carpet.  Jesus rode into the city on a donkey.  "Hosanna!" the people cheered as they waved their palm branches.  Some people cheered, "Hail to our King!"  Jesus rode through the town on a donkey because when a king rode on a donkey it meant he would bring peace.  God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to set us free and bring us peace.

Open the purple egg.  Let the children eat the piece of cracker. (Use a gold fis, a ritz bitz, or any cracker your child likes) Matthew 26:17-19, 26-30

Jesus and His disciples (the 12 men who helped Jesus tell others about God)  celebrated Passover together.  They went upstairs to a room in a house in Jerusalem.  Jesus washed His disciples' feet to remind them that they were there to care for others.  Then Jesus and the disciples shared a special meal.  Jesus knew it would be His last meal with His friends.  Jesus knew He had to follow God's plan for His life and die for our sins.

Open the yellow egg.  Let the children hold the nails.  (Show them how to make the 2 nails into a cross.) 
John 19:16-22

Jesus had to be nailed to the cross to die for our sins because it was God's plan.  The people who loved Jesus were very sad.  Jesus did not deserve to be punished.  He had not done anything.  Jesus died so that we could be forgiven.  the Bible say in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."

Open the green egg.  Let the children hold the rock.  (Use a rock from your yard) Matthew 28:1-2

After Jesus dies one of his followers wrapped Jesus's body in cloth and put it in a tomb.  The tomb was a special tomb cut into the rock in a hillside.  A big stone was rolled in front of the tomb to close the entrance.  Guards were posted to guard the tomb.  Jesus followers were very sad that Jesus had died.

Open the orange egg.  It is empty!  Matthew 28:5-8

Early the next morning a lady named Mary Magdalene went to visit the tomb.  When she came to the tomb the big tock had been rolled away.  The tomb was empty.  It was good news!  Jesus was alive!  Jesus went to heaven to be with God.  Jesus was punished for our sins so that some day we will get to go to heaven to be with God and Jesus.

This is a simple way to review the Easter season with our children.  Interactive and informative; an easy way for them to remember the important parts of why we celebrate it. 

If you are not of the Christian faith and do not celebrate the holiday in the same way we do.  Easter egg hunts, church events, etc...just remember to celebrate spring with your loved ones.  The old and winter laden earth becoming new again...brown grass turning green...flowers blooming...trees growing leaves...new life spring forth...new babies in the pastures and forests....wonders of the world we live in!   Just use this time to celebrate the wonders of the world we live in and teach our kids to admire and love those wonders and cherish them every year.