Last year when the season of Lent arrived we decided we wanted to make some meaningful traditions for our family, just as we have at Christmas time during the season of Advent. We wanted to be able to teach our kids about the true meaning of these significant holidays in our Christian faith. Since then we have been collecting family devotionals and other ideas to pass along the reasons for celebrating these very important holidays. Below are some recipes and ideas for a few activities that can help you teach your children more about the true Easter story. Some ideas may be better suited for older children that can better understand the details of Christ's death and resurrection.
Unfortunately I don't have a picture of these little gems since I have not made them myself. But I have two recipes that teach the story of Easter (that is if you tell it along with the recipe). Since Easter is this coming weekend, I thought I would share them. They are not necessarily nutritious and I can't speak for whether or not they are delicious since I have not made them yet. We will be trying the Resurrection Rolls, so hopefully I will be able to add a picture to this post at a later date. Another baking activity to do during Lent is to make pretzels as they represent prayer and the trinity. Click here for a link on more information of the history of pretzels and a recipe. We did this last year (see pic above) for Lent, but I can't find the recipe I used. MoneySavingMom.com also shared a pretzel recipe recently. Click on the recipe titles below for a printable version of these recipes without pictures.
Ingredients:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large Marshmallows
CinnamonSugar
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. 1. Give each child a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. Read Matthew 27: 57-61.
2. Give each child a marshmallow. This represents Jesus.
3. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming.
4. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represents the spices used to anoint the body.
5. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up. but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.
6. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. (The oven represents the tomb---pretend like it was three days!)7. Let the rolls cool slightly. The children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, HE IS RISEN!!!!
(The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)
Now read Matthew 28:5-8 Explain: At the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw an angel, who told them not to be afraid. No one had taken Jesus' body, but He Had risen from the dead! You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. This is important - don't wait until you're half done with the recipe!
1. Place pecans in zipper baggie 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.
2. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
4. 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.
5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of 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.
6. 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.
7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. On 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.
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