This week I am planning for Easter dinner. I have invited my mother over as well as my sister and her children. I haven't figured out where we are all going to sit, but there will be plenty of food to share and I am sure it will be wonderful to spend time with family.
I am trying to get my children to focus more on the meaning of Easter and less on the Easter bunny and the cutesy portions of Easter. It seems that so many of us get caught up in hunting Easter eggs that we forget their symbolism - new life. A new life that was gifted to us through the death of Christ. We start to focus on the baskets of goodies that a rabbit leaves for us to find in the morning - not the ultimate gift of salvation and an eternity with the King of Kings. This year I think we are not doing the baskets until after the church service. No egg hunt until we remember what the day is really about. And I think we are going to start a new Easter tradition. Which brings me to this weeks Wecipe Wednesday
We are going to make resurrection cookies. I came across the recipe several years ago and said we were going to make them, but never did. This year we are and I am going to share the recipe with you in case you want to make them also.
Resurrection Cookies
You will need:
1 cup pecans, whole 1 Bible
1 tsp vinegar 1 zip top baggie
3 egg whites a wooden spoon
1 cup sugar bowl
pinch of salt piece of tape
Directions:
Preheat Oven to 300 F.
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us, He wants us to know that and He wants us to love Him as well.Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.Read Isaiah1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.Read Matthew 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Sunday morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On Resurrection morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Have a great Wednesday!
