A Christ Centered Approach To Our Family’s Resurrection Sunday
As much as I wanted to give in to the traditions of egg hunts and the traditional Easter baskets my precious grandma would give us as children, I found that there was a void in all of those things without the true meaning behind the intention. When I became a mother, that unsettling notion that I had for memorable, but yet intentional giving for the purpose of being Christ-centered came flooding back to me. God was changing my earthy perspective to a heavenly one. Although we still did the occasional egg hunt or Easter basket, we choose to emphasize Christ while still making it fun for everyone.
Some of the things we chose were:
We made a basket full of crafts to make the story leading up to Christ’s Crucifixion
We gave them supplies and ingredients to make resurrection cookies
We did scavenger hunts with scripture versus
For the little ones, we gave books about Jesus’ life and resurrection
We gave out study Bibles one year to our older children
We did object lessons
A few years in a row we created an Easter garden that resembled the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose on the 3rd day
For 3 years straight, we did an Easter tree that depicted the journey to the cross
I always like to make a big meal on Easter Sunday and invite someone over that may not have family local. This has been a great way to minister to others and have our children be a part of that hospitality process.
The items on the menu vary from year to year, but always included the kids input. We like to have a large ham or a few roasted chickens. Our oldest likes cooking the casseroles and all the side dishes while daddy smokes the meat. The younger girls love decorating the table and Noah loves to set out all the fancy dishes and tablecloths. I love to make my lemon cake with coconut cream frosting. The table is usually set very colorful, which to me means cheerful and bright countenances that are ready for fellowship!
Jason especially likes to observe lent as a family. It is a reminder to us that our sin separates us from God, who “demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Generally, it is a time of repentance toward the things God is grieved over in our life. As a result, Christ brings new life and hope for a new beginning. There is a reason for the 40 days of Lent. Look up the stories of the Israelites wandering in the dessert for 40 years, Jonah preaching on the judgement of God in 40 days if Nineveh did not repent, and Jesus being tempted by Satan during his 40 days fast and before His public ministry. There are a lot of references to the number 40 in scripture and it is a neat study to go over with your family.
One of my favorite days during this time of year is Good Friday. I typically take that day and make the entire day about what Jesus had to endure starting from the time He was sweating blood and crying out to the Lord in the garden asking Him to take away what was about to be done to Him, all the way to Calvary. All the details, all of the people He encountered, from Peter’s denial, to the man who helped Jesus carry the cross. Everything about this story makes me weep, creates gratefulness in my heart, and gives credibility to who Jesus says He is in my children’s eyes.
I don’t think it matters what traditions your family chooses to embrace as long as it directs your children’s focus to the cross and why Christ died in our place. There are so many resources and craft ideas online more than ever before. Be choosy in your findings and have a lot of fun making these investments in the hearts of your children!
Natalie