If you had peeked inside our parsonage on Easter weekend when my girls were young, you would have seen us having a great time together as a family! We had several traditions that we loved, because Easter is the BEST holiday for believers! Without Easter, we would have no hope! You can go here to read about our traditions.) We shouldn’t be stuffy and no fun on Easter – this is a time of celebrating our risen Savior!
Here’s a great activity that will help teach your children the message of Easter in a really creative way – by baking Resurrection Cookies! Each ingredient adds a special part of the story, from the salt to the vinegar. You mix the ingredients together and read the Scriptures as you go along. I’d suggest printing the verses out on slips of paper beforehand. Write the verses in condensed form if you’re dealing with pre-schoolers. The cookies get placed inside the oven, where they stay overnight – like Jesus’ body stayed in the tomb. The next morning the cookies are ready, and when you bite inside, they’re hollow – empty! Just like the tomb was on Easter morning!Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients
■1 cup whole pecans
■1 tsp. vinegar
■3 egg whites
■1 pinch salt
■1 cup sugar
■gallon size zip top bag
■wooden spoon
■tape
■Bible
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Put the pecans in the plastic bag. Let the children take turns breaking them by beating with a wooden spoon. Don’t crush them finely, but leave in large pieces.
Explain that Jesus was arrested and beaten by the soldiers. Read John 19:1-3
3. Let the children smell the vinegar. Pour it in a mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, they gave him vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Pour the egg whites into the mixing bowl with the vinegar.
Explain that eggs represent life. Jesus gave his life so that we can have life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle salt into each child’s hand and let them taste it. Put a dash of salt in the mixing bowl.
Explain that salt represents the tears shed by Jesus’ disciples. It also represents the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. Add 1 cup sugar to the mixing bowl.
Explain that this is the sweetest part of the story. Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until it forms stiff peaks.
Explain that the white color 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.
8. Fold the broken nuts into the beaten egg whites. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and let them seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
10. Go to bed!
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven. Jesus’ followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Let them take a bite and show them that they are hollow inside!
On the first Easter morning Jesus’ followers were amazed to find his tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
He has risen!
The Easter story cookies recipe was found at this site.
How do you tell your children about Easter?
From my parsonage windows,
RefreshHer 