Easter Tradition

This is a re post from March 29, 2009

Easter is just around the corner. I thought I would share a tradition we do in my family. One thing we do for Easter is make sure the kids understand the true meaning of Easter. Easter bunny, baskets, goodies, egg hunts are fun....but there is a bigger, better meaning behind it all. One of the things we do each year to show the true meaning is to share the story of Jesus dying on the cross and being raised 3 days later through baking Resurrection Cookies.

Here is a copy of the recipe and the story to go along with it.

Grab your apron and let's get started!

What you will need:

• A zip lock bag
• A wooden spoon
• Mixing bowl
• Cookie sheet with wax paper
• Scotch tape
• Bible

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of whole pecans
• 3 egg whites
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 1 pinch of salt

Instructions: These are to be made the evening before Easter.

Preheat the oven to 300 F. (This is important to do at the beginning. Don't wait until you are half way done with the cookies.)

Place pecans in the zip lock bag, and let children beat it with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Add one teaspoon of vinegar into a 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 the 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 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 for 11-15 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 the broken nuts, drop tsp. of dough onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Put 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.

On Resurrection Morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie! Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection Day, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb empty! Read Matthew 28:1-9.

Feel free to copy this recipe and story to use for your family!