I can’t believe it’s almost Easter. It’s crazy how we can be chugging along, between freezing and beautiful weather (I wish March would make up its mind!), and then, oh my goodness, it’s Easter! Anyone else feel this way?
The Passion of Christ
Easter is one of the biggest holidays for Believers. The Easter holiday is both somber and sobering, while also beautiful and hopeful. I remember when the Passion of Christ first came out. That was forever ago (BK – before kids) but I can still remember this one scene. Christ fell and the cross was on the ground. He was bloody and in anguish. Yet he desperately crawled toward the cross that would kill him. His executioners were amazed. It was so, so powerful.
As I’ve mentioned in other posts, I love how a pastor put it: “It’s Friday. But Sunday is coming!” He repeated that phrase over and over again. Wow, do we need to really hear that now. So much chaos, confusion, and destruction. Sin abounds with no obvious repercussions. It certainly does feel like Friday.
I’m so thankful that we can look forward to the Sunday that is coming! Obviously, He’s already come to save us from our sins, but the future “Sunday” of justice and redemption is coming. A new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Praise God! Come LORD Jesus, come.
Understanding Easter
I don’t think our children can always fully appreciate Good Friday and Easter Sunday the way it’s communicated in the Bible. Going back to The Passion of Christ, I don’t think that’s appropriate for the youngers, anyway! When our younger children think of Easter, they mostly think it’s about chocolate candy bars, hidden eggs, and a big family meal. It’s really wonderful and so fun! Of course, they know and understand the basic story. But the depth of the meaning of Easter can easily go right over their heads.
I’m not arguing that we should take the innocent joy away from them. However, it’s so important to share with our children why we celebrate this holiday. Or rather, Who we celebrate.
Easter books
At MHM, we have several great family devotionals for Easter. Walking through various Scriptures to better understand the life of Christ and why He came is foundational to our faith. This is such a perfect time to do a family devotional like this!
If you have littles in your family, it may be easier to read a few stories about Easter. I love the classic picture book, “The Story of Three Trees.” It’s such a beautiful story of how the LORD allows us to have dreams for our future. He hard wires us all in very different, unique ways. We’re not all put here for the same reason, even if we’re all trees as is depicted in the story!
What’s so incredible is that we may not be able to immediately see why some of our dreams don’t seem to turn out exactly how we may have foreseen. But our dreams will more often than not be fulfilled by the LORD in ways we could never imagine. This book teaches that His ways are better, and He is good.
If you love Resurrection Eggs, another fantastic option is Benjamin’s Box. I’m sure you all have somewhere in your attic Resurrection Eggs (I’m pretty sure that’s where ours are; they’ve been in our family for YEARS!). They’re such a wonderful way to communicate the beauty and meaning of Easter. Benjamin’s Box is a great story to talk through the Resurrection using Resurrection Eggs.
Celebrate!
Easter is an awesome holiday for us all to celebrate! I hope we all remember the sin that lurks in each and every one of our hearts. That sin is the reason why Jesus came to this earth. He had to die, because no one else could have been a sufficient sacrifice on that dark Friday. But praise Jesus, because of Christ, we now have hope. We are redeemed, and if we have a reason to celebrate anything, that would be it. Just as that old hymn says, “Our sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” Amen!
Check out our Easter books and share them with your friends and family! I pray you celebrate the greatness and goodness of our God!
