Do Easter Differently

I don't think it is any secret that Caroline and I are pretty big Miss Pattycake fans. And last year, I decided to buy the Resurrection Eggs* to use with Caroline this year. My sister, Heather, has these and has used them each year with her kids since Matthew was young (he's 10 1/2 now!!!). I had forgotten about them until last year and thought what an interesting way to present the true story of Easter to a youngster - so interesting that it has Caroline running to get in the bed (that in itself is amazing)!!! Caroline is already a little familiar with how these eggs work because on Miss Pattycake's Easter Eggstravaganza*, she incorporates the eggs into telling the story of Jesus' death and resurrection along with learning fun songs, colors, numbers, and ABCs.

This morning our youth pastor at Hopewell, Jim Walker, said something that really stuck with me. He said, "I want to do Easter differently this year." He went on to explain about how each day this week he was going to read the story of Easter from the Bible starting with Palm Sunday (today) leading up to the crucifixion and on to the resurrection as a personal reminder of what Jesus went through that week and what He did so that we could have eternal life...WOW!!! After hearing what Jim had to say, it got me to thinking once again about how we all get caught up in the "busyness" of the holidays and lose focus of why we really should celebrate Easter (and likewise, Christmas).

I honestly don't remember a time that I didn't know the real reason we celebrate the sunrise on Easter, but I have been guilty of loosing focus to things like making sure the dress is perfect, the eggs are dyed, and the basket is filled by the Easter Bunny. I don't believe doing any of those are wrong and they are all a part of celebrating Easter in our home, but the focus should always be on what our LORD and SAVIOUR did for us at Calvary and that is what I want my child to always KNOW and BELIEVE!!!

So at some point everyday, Caroline and I have been watching Miss Pattycake's Easter Eggstravaganza (the songs are sooooo much fun for ME and her!!!) and every night at bedtime we do our Resurrection Egg for the day and talk about Jesus dying on the cross so that we can have everlasting life in Heaven. Both of these are a great way to present this story on a level that a child can understand and a great reminder to me of how my Lord bleed and suffered and died so that I can be saved from my sin!!! And to celebrate the new season and life that Easter Sunday brings, we have a pretty little spring dress, and we will dye the eggs* (and make cupcakes) as a festive way to spend time together, and I am pretty sure the Easter Bunny will come for a visit. But it has become more and more obvious each day to me as I watch Caroline grow up so quickly that I don't want my sweet child to ever remember a time she didn't know what Easter (or Christmas) was really about and as a parent it is MY - and Jamey's - responsibility to teach that to her (Proverbs 22:6).

So, how are we doing Easter differently? By making a commitment of taking up the cross to follow Jesus in order to find that NEW LIFE (Matthew 10:38-39). Meaning, to live everyday intentionally to glorify Him - HAPPY EASTER!

* Click here and then on PARENTS to read "The History of the Easter Egg", an interesting explanation of how dyed eggs, chicks, and ducks all became a part of this religious season.

**The movie and resurrection eggs can also be purchased from the Miss Pattycake website.


AND...I promised more pictures of Jacob Conner's (Caroline has decided when she talks about him, she has to call him by both names) party, so here they are. Can you tell these two didn't have a nap before party time???
The birthday boy decided that Mickey needed a "scratch" on his chin.
Maggie Ruth checking to see if all the noise was interrupting Jack and D'Daddy Gene's naps!
Caroline escaping with some of Jacob's loot...and it was a toy gun (her daddy was proud)!! Rachel helping Caroline get her party hat just right.
Trying to refrain from falling asleep at the table, while waiting to sing "Happy BirthCAKE" to Jacob.
Heather lighting the candle for Jacob to make a wish on his 3rd Birthday!!!