We’re getting ready to begin our annual journey through the Easter Story with our Resurrection Eggs. Each plastic egg contains a small symbol from the gospel story – a donkey, silver coins, praying hands. For the 12 days before Easter, we open one egg each day, gradually telling the story. I read a little picture book called “Benjamin’s Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs,” which follows a boy through the crucifixion and resurrection as he, himself, gathers each item that we have in the eggs. In order to open the 12th egg on Easter Sunday, we’ll begin the story on Wednesday, April 5th.
Before the 12 days even begin, the oldest kids figure out a pattern of “who opens which egg, when”. They know – oh, they know – if this doesn’t happen, chaos ensues morning after morning, with “IT’S MY TURN!” and so on. We all agree that it seems silly to fight over Resurrection Eggs (of all things), but still it’s good to be peacefully proactive. 😉
Some years, I have my act together enough to lead the children in creating A Grace Garden for Easter. I first read about these on Ann Voskamp’s blog many years ago and I just love how the dirt, the garden, and the empty tomb are visual reminders of what really happened.
On Easter morning, we give each child an Easter basket with some jelly beans, a book that will encourage them in their faith, a chocolate cross, and a little animal.
(The little animal thing is funny, and I’m not sure how it started, but I love how each animal reminds them about God’s wonderful hand in creation. By now, we have quite a collection: a moose, an elephant, 2 cows, a red fox, a beaver, several little lambs, and many other creatures that are often used to teach the newest baby, or are organized into habitats, or arranged at a zoo, or invited to live in a talking barnyard. I like to invest in the Safari LTD brand, especially the bigger animals, sold individually at places like Michael’s.)
We dress up, head out to church, and usually help with the music there. Between church and nap time, we try to snap a photo or two. Then, we enjoy a feast at one of our parents’ homes with an Easter egg hunt for the kids.
What are your favorite Easter traditions?
