End of the Story

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I’m sitting here after the kids are in bed putting together Resurrection Eggs.  I know, I know, I’m late – no opening one a day for the 12 days leading up to Easter Sunday – but at least it will happen, albeit all at once! {My sweet mom made a good point that for young children it is easier to remember/understand when opened on the same day… thanks Mom, I feel less like a failure now! :)} We probably won’t be coloring eggs this year either… We live, eat, breathe, and sleep in house mode, and anyway — you guessed it — the kids are sick AGAIN.  Even if this year we miss some of the other things I’d love to do as “traditions,” I want to make the Resurrection Eggs happen. I have great memories of opening them every year when I was growing up.  They are such a tangible way to walk your kids through the True Easter Story.

And… THERE’S STILL TIME!

How to Make Resurrection Eggs

You can make one too!  Just gather these simple supplies from around the house, and you’ve got it!  This is my favorite list:

  1. Picture of a baby – draw or print one off the internet, or the 12-week gestation pro-life babies work great!
  2. Palm leaf strand – any leaf or bit of pine that resembles it will work too
  3. Small bit of bread – get all fancy and add a plastic communion cup too
  4. 30 (or 3) silver coins – dimes are perfect!
  5. Whip – cut a little strip of leather, brown cloth, yarn or string
  6. Thorns – any thorny branch will do, or single ones cut off a rose stem
  7. Nails – husband’s toolbox?
  8. Dice – borrow some from those game boxes
  9. Toothpick – add masking tape on the end if you want for more of a “spear” look
  10. Gauze – raid your First Aid kit for something applicable
  11. Rock 
  12. Empty!

You will also need an egg carton and 12 plastic eggs.

Alternatively, you can use spices, popsicle sticks cut smaller and made in a cross, or a piece of paper with “King of the Jews” as other filler items if you don’t have everything above.  Just rearrange in proper chronological order.

Some year, I’ll try to make a print-out of the Bible verses that go along with it for your convenience, but in a pinch, talk through the story with your preschoolers. 🙂

The End of the Story

I know the Easter story starts off sad.  I’ve spent the whole week reflecting on what leads up to Sunday during Jesus’ last days and horrific death reading the book The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel.  But this Good Friday evening, as I fill eggs with more than just candy – with purpose – for my kids, I can’t help but burst with JOY! Because you guys, WE KNOW THE END OF THE STORY!!!!!

********** SPOILER ALERT! **********

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  Romans 6:4

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  John 11:25-26

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

 

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