Sunday, April 17, 2022

Resurrection Sunday...

 


This morning the grandchildren and Blossom came by to celebrate Resurrection Sunday with us.
We read the story of Christ's last days beginning with the Passover meal, then to the betrayal by Judas, the Crucifixion of our precious Lord, and finally - the glorious Resurrection.

This year I used a hollow chocolate egg to illustrate the dark, sealed tomb which held Jesus' body after Joseph of Arimathea took it down from the cross and wrapped it in clean linen. 

Though the girls are just 4 and 5, they grasped it all...Rafaella especially took in the painting of Jesus on the cross in her children's bible, and looked at it long and hard before she would allow me to turn the page to the story of the tomb. 

They heard once more of how Jesus had told his disciples that He would be raised to life after three days, and then I unwrapped the chocolate egg and held it before them.

The egg became a tomb, solid and impenetrable. I asked Who was inside this tomb. They answered together, "Jesus!"

"Well", I said, "let's open the tomb and look inside."

So I cracked the chocolate egg and a piece fell away. They looked inside and shouted, "It's empty!"

I responded, "Yes, because Jesus always tells the truth, and He said He would be raised from the dead, so today we celebrate the empty tomb and our Risen Saviour."

There was lots of cheering from the girls and little Charlie joined in too. Blossom and hubby sat nearby, and soon we were all breaking open empty chocolate tombs together. 

We don't use the word Easter anymore in our family as it's simply not related to the truth of what we know about Passover, the Crucifixion and Resurrection Sunday...we name the days for what they are, and by doing that we tell a story, a true story of God's Son who came to earth to die for all, so that we could all be reconciled to the Father should we choose to. Jesus paid it all. He gave what we could not.
A perfect sacrifice that was truly horrible - but which ended in the most glorious day of His Resurrection.



As I prayed over what to share on the blog about these profoundly life-altering days, the Lord reminded me of this older pattern which I'd shared before, so I decided to stitch it again.

As I looked at it, there was a jump in my heart as I read the words with fresh understanding, an understanding for this very season we are in, for this very Resurrection Day.

...The WORD of God...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." 
John 1:1

The WORD of God is Jesus. 
So let's look at Hebrews 4:12 anew this day.

"JESUS is living and powerful"

Yes, our Lord is LIVING. 
He is alive and He is powerful...He is Jesus the Christ, Son of the living God, our Redeemer and Saviour. He died but was raised to life triumphant over death and hell. He defeated the enemy, He won the battle, He paved the way to God for you and I with His own blood. 

Use the link below to download the pattern. 

Friends, hold fast to what is true. Do not be swayed into following the traditions of the world, but study the truth and embrace it with a whole heart giving all glory to God.

It's hard to avoid the easter egg bombardment at this time of year, I know, but we can use it as a tool to share about the empty tomb withy children and adults alike. When the children were saying goodbye today, I sent them home with another small hollow chocolate egg each and my heart was overjoyed to hear them call it "an empty tomb". 
Children really do catch on to truth when we share it with them.

hugs

10 comments:

Joanne said...

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks you for sharing this special family moment on your blog :)
hugs, take care,
Joanne

Donna P. said...

Thank you for sharing this with us. I appreciate it since I can't be with the grand kids this year. We used to do the Resurrection eggs with our children and then individual plastic Easter eggs with our grand children when they lived with us. Yes, they do catch on to the truth and I pray it continues to hold.
Thank you again.
Blessings,

Allie said...

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!!!!! He is risen indeed! Such blessed children to have a faithful Nana! (Deuteronomy 6:7) "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
We don't use "easter" anymore either - it's in the bible, but not connected to the resurrection, lol. I hope you're resting, girl! Love you!

Dots said...

Amen, Jennifer...Amen. Jesus IS risen, indeed. God bless you and your family.
Be well.

Jenny said...

I've been torn this year about how much of the crucifixion story to share with my young grandson. He almost passed out in Sunday school when the teacher showed a picture of Jesus with the crown of thorns & explained what happened. I've wondered if all he needs to know at this young age (he's 4) is that Jesus loves him & is alive? We protect our young children from all the harsh evil in the world today so I'm confused that we are ok to share the harshest things from God's word with them.

Linda said...

Hi Jenny! I like your use of Resurrection Day instead of Easter. I agree it makes more sense these days when Easter is associated almost solely with rabbits and candy. What a beautiful way to illustrate our Lord's resurrection. Thank you. :-)

Lorrie said...

Resurrection Sunday joy to you, Jennifer! The Lord is risen!

Angie in SoCal said...

Thank you for sharing this wonderful pattern. It will go on my to do list. I think I will enlarge it to make a wall hanging out of it. Your meetings with the girls and family are inspiring. Bless you.

Ondrea said...

A lovely heartfelt post. Easter was named after a pagan goddess and the egg was a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Some Christan things, like the yule log and Christmas tree were also taken from pagan symbalism. You follow the true faith as does another Christian friend of mine. Your message is clear and loving. X

Kim said...

Beautiful and creative illustration! And thanks again for being so generous with your designs. May God continue to bless your giving spirit.