Easter, What is it really about?

We decided before we even had kids that we would not teach them that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were real.  We didn't want them to lose sight of what Easter really is about.  A few years back we started making Resurrection cookies.  It is a great tool to teach them about Easter.  This year I also decided to make new outfits for church on Easter Sunday. Something special for a special day.    So here is a few pictures of what Easter looked like for our family.

Ingredients to our cookies
* Note don't use stevia just break down and use sugar. 

I love this man soo much!! and I am glad that he desires to raise our kids to follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

These are to be made the evening before Easter.  Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in a bag 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
Alexis had a little to much salt to taste, LOL

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

Daddy had to console Evanny she was so sad to leave the cookies

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

Our cookies Didn't quite turn out like they were supposed to.( I didn't beat the egg whites long enough) :(  But no worries we turned it into another object lesson.  We decided that our cookies didn't work because the empty tomb is not the end of Jesus story!!  Not that it isn't an important part of his story but it isn't the end.  One Day God is returning for us!!! Then we will be in eternity with him and that will be the end of Jesus story!!

Sunrise service at Granddads church. David had to be in front with Granddad.  Maybe he is a pastor in the making. :)