Saturday, April 3, 2010

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!


11 comments:

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Very beautiful, I have seen this done before and it always amazes me.
What a great way to teach Children about the real meaning of EASTER.
Have a blessed day.
Molly

Unknown said...

What a great way to teach child the meaning of Easter!

Shawn said...

We love these! It's something the girls and I have done for a few years now, that and the Resurrection easter egg hunt. A fun way to participate in the celebrations without forgetting WHY or WHO we're celebrating!

Miller Racing Family said...

What a totally great idea. I am printing this off and doing it with Trey! I agree that kids need to know the true meaning of Easter. I was in children's church today and I was amazed that some of the kids had no idea of what Easter was about. How sad is that and these are the kids that are in church!
Thanks for idea, this will become one of our family traditions.
Have a blessed Sunday!

Heidi Boos said...

Rhonda, Thanks so much for sharing this! I think this will be a fun tradition that we can start with the kids this Easter to share the REAL meaning of Easter! I know my daughter will "eat" it all up. ;) Hope you had a blessed Sunday!

Missy said...

Thanks for the idea! I'm always looking for ways to take the emphasis off of the Easter bunny!

Pam said...

Thanks for posting this. I have been wanting this recipe.
Have a wonderful Easter.
Pam

Unknown said...

We did this last year and it was wonderful! he kids were really into it- until we tasted the cookies the next day- I liked them but the kids definitely did no- that wasn't the point of making them though!!

Happy Easter my friend!

~Becca

He & Me + 3 said...

That is awesome. I love that you do such fun traditions with your children. That is great.

Sugarplum Creations Blog said...

This is so awesome, Rhonda! I wish I would've seen this earlier today. I know my girls would love it. Thanks so much for sharing!!

jennykate77 said...

I made those cookies with my Sunday School class this year! It was such an effective tool in teaching the meaning of Easter!