In all the excitement of coming up north and caring for the animals and exploring we completely forgot about Easter. We did not realize that it is this weekend until yesterday.
Today we will be driving an hour to the nearest Walmart to get a few things like a bit of candy and dyes to color our eggs. We may go to a movie while we are out too.
My children absolutely love a good egg hunt and are particularly excited about searching outdoors up here. It will be quite an adventure for them.
We often have scavanger style hunts. I write rhyming clues or take pictures that will lead them to the next clue. The photo clues are taken close up so it is difficult to figure out what exactly they are looking at.
Each clue takes them to another clue and either a colored, hard boiled egg or a plactic egg with a small toy or coins. Some eggs hold only the next clue rather than a reward. Some clues are difficult and require a bit of thinking and reasoning and others are quite easy. I have not yet decided if I will create a scavanger hunt. I did not bring our plastic eggs and will not buy more so I will have to be a little extra creative it we do it.
For many years we made Resurrection Cookies. We prepare them in the evening. As we prepare them we read a story, read scripture and talk about what happened. When we finish making the dough we put the cookies in the oven, seal the door and in the morning the cookies will be done. They will be tiny hollow “tombs”. It is a fun, memorable family experience and a very hands on way to remember what Christ has done for us.
AKA Easter Story Cookies
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible
Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter.
Preheat oven to 300F
NOTE: This is very important!
Do not wait until you are half done with the recipe.
Place pecans in zipper baggy 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 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
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
Point out that 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: Psalm 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: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 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: 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&22
On Resurrection Sunday (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: Matthew 28:1-9
***I received this recipe in an email many years ago. I do not know who created it. If you know please let me know so I may give him/her credit.***
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