Teaching the true meaning of Easter to children.

So here we are and Easter is just around the corner. Every store you go into has Easter baskets, candy, plastic eggs, chocolate bunnies,etc...but have you ever looked past all of the commercial stuff and truly sat down with your children and taught them the true meaning of Easter?

A lot of times the true meaning of Easter is overlooked due to all of the frills that are given on the morning of Easter. Sure families go through the motions on that morning of getting up, dressing in our "Easter Best", going to sunrise service at church that morning and then coming home to eat a huge feast. Then colored eggs will be hidden so that we can have a Easter egg hunt, but no where in there does it include a true lesson on what Easter means.

It is extremely important that we teach our children the true meaning of Easter. That's its not just another holiday that they receive gifts or candy on. Most parents struggle with trying to find ways to explain this meaning in simple terms to where a child could understand. Here is my recommendation on how to approach this with your children.

I would set aside some family time either before Easter or on the day of Easter to where you can devote time to teaching the true meaning of the holiday. Then I would read the full story from Matthew 27:33-38, then turn to Matthew 28:1-11 in your bible. Then I would break it down in these simple terms so that your children will understand:

Jesus had to die on the cross and shed His blood for us, so we could be brought back into relationship with God. He was the final sacrifice. Through Jesus blood being shed for us, our sins have been forgiven (washed away). Then, through His resurrection (coming back to life) we, too, can be risen to new life in Him. When we come to the Lord, He makes us new creations. We have Jesus resurrected life in us.

Easter isn't all about the Easter Bunnies and Easter eggs as such, though these things are nice to have at Easter time. I've heard it said that the Easter egg represents 'new life'- as a chicken hatches from an egg. It is okay to enjoy chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs at Easter time, but let us not forget the real meaning of Easter.

Easter is a true time for families to gather to together and enjoy each others company, but don't let the true meaning of the holiday get lost by all the other frills that happen.

I leave you with a short poem that sums it up completely:

 

More than Easter bunnies

 

And chocolate eggs galore,

 

Is the cross of Calvary,

 

The sacrifice of our Lord

 

For Jesus is the reason,

 

We all can celebrate

 

And come to Him to freely receive

 

His love and saving grace.

 

I hope that you and your family can gather on this holiday and celebrate the true meaning of Easter. From our family to yours Happy Easter.

 

 

 

 

With Love,

 

 

"B"