Presenting the Easter Story in a Way Children Can Understand
"He is risen!" "Cool!"
That's not quite the traditional Easter greeting and response, but it's the one we use at our house ever since our rather precocious firstborn gave the "cool" response one Easter morning at our house many years ago. Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus is a pretty cool story, and I don't think He would mind that we refer to it that way.
Resurrection cookies, also called Easter story cookies, are a wonderful tool to use to present the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a way that children can understand. With the children participating in making the cookies on the night before Easter, then opening the cookies on Easter morning and seeing that the cookies, like the tomb, are miraculously empty, it's an object lession that will stick with a child for a very long time.
If you've never tried this presentation or these cookies, we hope you'll choose this year to make them a part of your Easter celebration. It is a humbling experience to go through the process from egg white to empty cookie-tomb, and a wonderful way to start your family's Easter morning off with a joyous "He is Risen!"
Cool!
Here's what you'll find on this page.
- Resurrection Morning in Scripture
- He Is Risen!
- Resurrection Cookies Recipe and Devotional
- More Easter Books for God's Children of All Ages
- Precious Moments Bible for Children
- Before the Resurrection came the Cross
- He is Risen!
- Resurrection Eggs
- Beautiful Wreaths for Easter and Spring
- Easter Bonnets!
- NEW! How to Have a Stress-Free Easter Holiday
- Does Your Family Have Easter Traditions?
- Thank you for visiting this page!
Resurrection Morning in Scripture
Matthew 28:1-8
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you."
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel's message.
(Scripture from the New Living Translation, © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. From Bible Gateway.com)
He Is Risen!
The Story of the First Easter for Children
He's Risen! He's Alive!: The Story of Christ's Resurrection Matthew 27:32-28:10 for Children (Arch Books) (Arch Books)
The story of Christ's resurrection, told in rhyme, accompanied by colorful illustrations. For families and, especially, children ages 5-9.
Resurrection Cookies Recipe and Devotional
To be prepared on the evening before Easter Sunday morning.
Resurrection Cookies
You need:
Bible
1 cup whole pecans
Mixing bowl
3 egg whites
Wooden spoon
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vinegar
Zipper baggy
1 pinch of salt
Wax paper
Cookie sheet
Tape
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place pecans in the baggy and let the 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 to them.
Let child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. 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 the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life for our life.
Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand let them taste it then brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that 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 this 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 mixer on high speed for 11-15 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 tsp.onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:65-66
Put cookies sheet in the oven. Close door and turn oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the 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 Resurrection Morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matthew 28:1-9
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
More Easter Books for God's Children of All Ages
Keep Jesus Alive in Your Heart
Precious Moments Bible for Children
A blue Bible for boys, pink for the girls.
Precious Moments Bible, Small Hands Edition
How much more precious the moment will be when your child can read the resurrection story in his or her own Bible.
This Precious Moments edition is just the right size for little hands. Contains both the Old and New Testament. Also available in pink. (Click on the picture for more information.)
Before the Resurrection came the Cross
Beautiful ways to remember.
Black Cord Cross Necklace
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Kirchner Sterling Silver Footprints Cross Pendant with Chain
Amazon Price: $49.97 (as of 07/26/2008)
Nail Cross Necklace (Pk/36)
Amazon Price: $24.13 (as of 07/26/2008)
He is Risen!
Christian t-shirts for Easter or any day.
Resurrection Eggs
More ways to celebrate Easter with your family.
Here are some Easter egg resources for your family.
Resurrection Eggs
Twelve colorful eggs, meaningful objects, and a devotional booklet bring the story of the death and resurrection of Christ to life--a great way to tell children "Jesus is alive!"
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
Resurrection Eggs Activity Book
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/26/2008)
Legend of the Easter Egg, The
Amazon Price: $10.87 (as of 07/26/2008)
The Story of the Resurrection Eggs in Rhyme & Song (Parenting)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)
Beautiful Wreaths for Easter and Spring
With Easter comes Spring, which means gorgeous flowers and beautiful, welcome color!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byEaster Bonnets!
More Easter Traditions from Squidoo and Susan52
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In Your Easter Bonnet (with all the frills upon it)
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Have Easter bonnets gone the way of black and white photos from the 1950s? Have they evolved into just another fun craft project for kids to do during the springtime? Does anyone even wear an Easter hat anymore? Let's find out. Photo property of S...
Does Your Family Have Easter Traditions?
Please share them with us!
Have you made Resurrection Cookies with your children? Do you have other Easter traditions? Just want to comment about this page? I'd love to hear from you!
(You don't have to have a Squidoo account to leave a comment.)
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mulberry
Creative, a great family tradition. Posted March 25, 2008 |
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riff999
What a wonderful way of teaching children the Easter story. This is something that truly deserves to become a tradition in every household that celebrates Easter. Thank you for the inspiring idea. Posted March 22, 2008 |
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Barkely
MMmmmm cookies, and with a great message too! Posted March 22, 2008 |
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driewe
Much better than hunting easter eggs. 5 stars Posted March 08, 2008 |
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prosperity66
Great lens! Deserves 5 stars for sure! Posted March 05, 2008 |
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