Easter is almost here….how are you preparing to celebrate? Although the birth of our Lord gets the bulk of attention, that wondrous event would not be so precious without the culmination of Resurrection Sunday. After all, what could God’s advent to earth mean to us today if He had not intentionally set His face for Jerusalem, a cross of shame and victory over sin and death?
But our Lord did become the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world! He did pay the debt He did not owe so that every believing mortal could be clothed with glory and immortality! And we know this is so because an empty grave proves it. Glory to God in the highest.
But how do we take these glorious truths and bring them down to family worship? How can we move beyond chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies in a way that is meaningful to children? Here are just a few thoughts on Easter gifts that can help us celebrate this special day.
1. Participate in Special Services at Church
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. If your church incorporates the use of palm branches in the Sunday morning worship, be sure that your children are part of the remembrance. If not, you can still have fun cutting down limbs as a family and reading the account at home. Let the children wave the branches and cry HOSANNA with ancient Israelites.
Many churches offer a special foot-washing service known as Maundy Thursday. This service remembers how our Lord humbly washed the feet of His disciples the night of the Last Supper.
If your church conducts a Good Friday service this, too, can be a meaningful time of family worship. If your church does not celebrate in this way, think about conducting a pared down version of a Passover meal with your children at home, talking about how Jesus shared the tradition with His 12 disciples.
Easter Sunday should be a joyous day of church. Have fun greeting each family member with the words The Lord is Risen! to which they reply He is Risen Indeed!
2. A Different Kind of Easter Basket
Of course it is great fun to put together the Easter basket filled with special candies, but put out another kind of basket this year as well. In the basket place age-appropriate books about Easter, Easter-themed music CDs, and Easter DVDs. Have the basket out all week long so that everyone has a chance to enjoy the contents.
3. Easter Gifts With Spiritual Meaning
In your child’s traditional Easter basket, consider including Easter gifts that represent the faith of Easter. A young girl might receive her first cross necklace. A boy might receive his first Bible or pocket prayer medal.
4. Make a Lamb Cake to Serve on Easter Sunday
This can be a traditional cake decorated with a picture of a Lamb or a cut-out cake in the shape of a Lamb. The idea is to carry the conversation and celebration all through the day on Easter.
Whether you are looking for Easter greeting cards or Easter gifts The Printery House has what you need to make this holiday a Holy Week of celebration for the whole family.