With Easter fast approaching many of us are out buying baskets, grass, candy, and all kinds of "goodies" to surprise our kids with on Easter morning! It is fun to get caught up in the bright colors and cheery decorations that Easter has to offer, but, please do not let this holiday slip away without recognizing its true meaning and passing it on to your children. It is a time of celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. The time when He overcame death and rose to live in heaven forever. And, because He has risen, we Christians have the hope of eternal life. To understand the whole meaning of Easter, read Matthew 27:11-66/28:1-20 together.
There are several different ways in which you can celebrate Easter while maintaining the true meaning. One of our family favorites is the Jelly Bean prayer. Mix up a bag of these colored candies and put this little poem inside.
GREEN is for the grassy blade, YELLOW is for the sun God made.
ORANGE is for a flame so bright. BLACK is for our sins not right.
RED is for the blood He gave. WHITE is for Jesus grace. He saved.
PURPLE is for the hours of sorrow. PINK is for a new tomorrow.
A bag of jellybeans, so colorful and sweet, is a promise, a prayer, and a loved one's treat.
So, go ahead, dress up the kids and hide some eggs but remember to celebrate the real reason of Easter. Jesus' death and sacrifice is, after all, our foundation and hope!
-Joyce Simmons, Dynamic Family Ministries