Traditions

I found jellybeans that used Jesus as the symbol! I was tickled by this. Our Easter traditions are a mix of several things....Saturday night we do Resurrection cookies using the following recipe: (I don't know the source, I have been doing this for nearly 6 years so if you know the source please tell me!)

RESURRECTION SUNDAY STORY COOKIES

 You need:
 1 c. whole pecans
 1 tsp. vinegar
 3 egg whites
 pinch salt
 1 c. sugar
 zipper baggie
 wooden spoon
 tape
 Bible

 Preheat oven to 300 F. (this in important - don't wait till you are
 half way done with the recipe!) 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

 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.

 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.

 So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. 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 Ps. 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 Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3

 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.

 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 Matt. 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 and 22.

 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 Matt. 28:1-9.

 HE HAS RISEN!!!!!

 -- Author Unknown
In 2008, we made resurrection Easter eggs and hid them...my girls loved them but not as such as Chris did. I have to admit the girls got more out of the work of cooking than the eggs...:)

Two years ago for our eldest daughter's first communion, we had our first Seder dinner. Now, our Easter ham (which I never liked) has been replaced by a traditional Seder dinner (i know it's supposed to be on Maundy Thursday but I can't get my act together on week days).

We also do the Easter Bunny baskets and hunt. The oldies still work their magic, too.
Blessed Easter.