I can't believe how slow I am at getting these Easter posts up and running. Well really we have had a few extra events this week and planning for Kynan to leave well today to go back to Uni. But I think the main issue is I just run out of energy.
Anyway our tradition for Holy Saturday is to always make caterpillars to put into paper bags, like Jesus into the tomb. These are then put into the
baskets and then in the morning the caterpillars have transformed into butterflies.
So each Holy Saturday we sit down together and make our Caterpillars. This year we made them from tissue paper although some insisted on pipe-cleaners and then we put them in the paper bags.
Stephen making his twisted tissue paper caterpillar, his skill was a little rusty.
Into the cocoon you go..............
All the caterpillars are ready for the great resurrection theme on Easter Day
Myffy putting hers into her basket. This was actually quite late on Holy Saturday night...hence the bedraggled and tired looking 6 year old.
The other tradition we have is the making of Resurrection Cookies as a family. This is usually the last thing we do with the little ones before bed and every year I think we need to start earlier as they really do get quite excited and worked up.
Resurrection Cookies Recipe~
I cup whole pecans ( we have made these with other nuts, but again year will use chocolate chips because we aren't that fond of the nuts)
1 tsp vinegar, plus some for your children to taste
3 egg whites
pinch salt, plus some for your children to taste
1 cup sugar, plus some for your children to taste
Tools: rolling pin or wooden spoon, plastic baggie with a zipper-lock, scotch tape, Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. (this in important - don't wait until you are halfway done with the recipe!) Place pecans in the plastic baggie and let children beat them with a rolling pin or 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: "And they came to him, and said: Hail, king of the Jews; and they gave him blows."
Let each child smell and taste some vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30. "Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost."
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep."
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it as you put the tsp. salt into the bowl and
explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27 "And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him."
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 then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool."
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add the sugar to the egg whites, and give some for your children to taste.
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 33:9 (34:8 in Bibles with Masoretic numbering) and John 3:16. "O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him... ...For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting."
Then read John 3:1-3, "And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night, and said to him: Rabbi, we know that thou art come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which thou dost, unless God be with him." Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet (do not use a baking stone!).
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.Read Mathew 27:57-60 "And when it was evening, there came a certain rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate, and asked the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded that the body should be delivered. And Joseph taking the body, wrapped it up in a clean linen cloth. And laid it in his own new monument, which he had hewed out in a rock. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the monument, and went his way."
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 "Pilate saith to them: You have a guard; go, guard it as you know. And they departing, made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting guards."
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 "Amen, amen I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice; and your joy no man shall take from you."
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 Matthew 28:1-9 "And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and coming, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow. And for fear of him, the guards were struck with terror, and became as dead men. And the angel answering, said to the women: Fear not you; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was laid. And going quickly, tell ye his disciples that he is risen: and behold he will go before you into Galilee; there you shall see him. Lo, I have foretold it to you. And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold Jesus met them, saying: All hail. But they came up and took hold of his feet, and adored him."
CHRISTUS RESURREXIT! HE HAS RISEN!We have finally come to the end of the Easter Countdown and all our caterpillars are in place.
Our Lenten Tree has become an Easter Egg tree
These are the
little bunnies I have been working on all Lent. Frankly if
Eden hadn't helped me I wouldn't have finished them. Thank goodness for helpful elder girls especially.
Part of the Easter morning breakfast table setting
The Easter bookcase display
This year our Salt Dough Crown of thorns was not replaced with flowers but little Easter tooth picks, I couldn't find the flowers and at 3am in the morning I wasn't that concerned with looking.
The Liturgical bookcase with all the Easter themes on it.
Our all seasons wreath with Easter egg decorations
The Easter Bags are all filled, trying to divvy up the eggs fairly while keeping the older boys from eating was a little interesting.
Our Seasons Table declaring that "CHRIST IS RISEN ALLELUIA"
These are the little handmade gifts I put into the baskets this year. Everyone gets one the same.
The felt bunny
A fleece butterfly (
Autumn's making this year)
A resurrection holy picture
A plastic egg with a small chick and Alleluia printed out on a strip of paper.
A close up of one of the Bunny's
Part of the center piece on the breakfast table.
Our Easter Altar....
A few of our last images are little fuzzy for some reason, sorry!
Well that is what happened on the eve of Easter, we had a very busy evening and I would not have gotten it done as we did if our older girls especially didn't stay up to help me. I so appreciate having them help with these special occasions these days.
I am still back tracking with our Easter/Holy Week posts so please bear with me, as these are a part of our family 'scrapbook' as well.
Have a most blessed and enjoyable Sunday today
Blessings to you and your homes,
