I grew up getting an Easter basket and having Easter egg hunts. I don't have a problem with this. But at the same time just like with Christmas I want the kids to remember why we are celebrating Easter. I remember coming downstairs Easter morning and going through my Easter basket. I also remember as a child looking out the window on Easter morning to see if I could spot any Easter Eggs that the Easter bunny had hidden in the yard. Or even the Easter Bunny himself! Little did I know that they weren't out there quite yet, mom and dad would get to that later. But more than my memories of the Easter Bunny, I also have fond memories of going to church on Easter Sunday. I loved the music on Easter Sunday. The music was always so joyful and exuberant. It really opened my heart to the promise that God made to us with his son's death on the cross and his Resurrection. Another of my favorite memories other than the music at church was the flower cross. Children would bring flowers to church and put them into the holes on the cross. By the end of the service the cross was filled with flowers. It was beautiful. And though these are the things I remember it is the story as well. To think that Christ died for us is often overwhelming to me, but a gift I have accepted. This is what I hope that my children will learn, take to heart and accept as well.
We will be heading to Knoxville and then Chattanooga to spend Easter. Last night when I was talking with my mother I told her I wanted to go to the Episcopal church. I wanted a little piece of my childhood memories. I don't necessarily agree with where the Episcopal church is heading but I love the memories that I have in that church. But the message is still the same. And the joyful heart I always have with the Easter story never dies.
On another note...
This year I am trying to figure out a fun way for the kids to get their Easter baskets. My sister did a maze of yarn through the entire house for the kids to find their baskets. I have always just hidden them somewhere in the living room. I have thought about doing a list of clues in order to find their baskets. Do any of you do the basket thing? And do you have a fun idea to give me to make receiving the kids baskets a little bit different this year? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
1 comment:
You are such an amazing mom! I love how you focus on making memories with the kids and try to balance the secular with the religious (I love the flower in the cross thing-- B E A utiful!). I always hide the Easter baskets, but in different locations throughout the house; the string idea is a really neat one. OOH, just had a thought, what about your "clue" idea that is a Bible verse which suggests a location? Ex. "From the 6th hour until the 9th hour, darkness came over the land." Math 27:45 leads them to look under the clock? I don't know, maybe that's too abstract for the ages of our kiddos?
BTW, I LOVE Elizabeth's room! But, she can't really be big enough for such a "big girl" room, can she?
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