So I'm struggling right now.
Not with alcoholic consumption before noon. I'm stronger than that...most of the time.
Not with finding an effective birth control method. Snip. Snip. Finally, I'm safe.
No, I'm struggling with a biggie here: religion.
Most of you already know, I grew up Catholic. But as I have gotten older, I don't necessarily feel connected to God at church. Rather, I feel the most connected with the Big Man, when I'm out amongst the green carpet of fresh grass and blooming wildflowers outside in nature.
I kid you not, some Sundays come and Tom loads up the girlie's and takes them to church, and I go off on a hike with Charlotte.
It's just where I'm at right now, that's all. Simply put, I am a spiritual person, not necessarily, a hell and brimstone, religious one. However, I totally dig Mother Mary, and Jesus, while definitely trying to be open to other religions.
One day, as Emma intently examined The Last Supper portrait hanging on our wall (once a Catholic, always a Catholic), she looked to me and asked, "Mama, what's Jesus doing here?"
"Well honey, this is the last time he had dinner with his friends, the Disciples," I answered.
"Why Mama? Why was it the last time he ate with his friends?" she asked.
Oh shit, here it comes, I thought. How do you word "he was crucified and died on a cross for your sins" in a kid-friendly sort of way?
"The next day, he died on the cross," I said simply.
Emma looked at me. She looked at The Last Supper. She looked back at me, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh but WAIT!!!" I said, excitedly, "Listen to THIS! It was like the best magic trick EVER! Do you know what happened 3 days later?" I was trying to give her the facts, but keep it light.
"Jesus ROSE up from the dead!!! (this was the non-Da Vinci Code version, alright?) Can you believe that? Isn't that GREAT?! And that, baby girl, is why we celebrate Easter."
I was invited to have lunch with some ladies recently, where we would be discussing Easter traditions. The table was set simply, but with beautiful fresh cut flowers. Fruit and yummy burritos were served. And I walked in carrying Charlotte and a six pack of beer. Hey, it was 1 o'clock on a Wednesday afternoon, but it's all good, right?
I'm not sure you could call the "Doom and Gloom" of Lent a tradition. I've never been good with someone telling me I have to give something up, so instead, I try to just be more mindful during Lent. I try to just more aware. I try to be more in the moment.
Like helping Cosette tie her shoes, instead of sighing in frustration at her inability to do so. Breathing calmly, when after changing a dirty tablecloth for a clean one (one that perhaps doesn't have syrup stuck to the place mats), only to have one of the girls spill a glass of milk all over it. And so it goes, right?
Tom and I try to also instill this value in the girls, because after all, isn't that what we should be going for on this journey? But I am open to anything that will make biblical stories (yaaaawn), more engaging and fun!
Anyways, these ladies brought up the coolest idea, and I'm sure some of you already know about these: Resurrection Eggs. The concept is very simple and tangible for kids and adults alike: there are 12 plastic eggs, and inside of each one, is a symbol of Jesus's journey until Easter day. I got mine at a Christian book store, since I was a Resurrection Egg virgin, but you can just as easily make them.
For those of you that are interested, here is what is inside of each egg, numbered 1-12.
1. A small toy donkey (Jesus rode this into the city)
2. Silver coins (Judas betrayed Jesus with 30 silver coins)
3. Cup (used at The Last Supper)
4. Praying Hands (Jesus praying to God in the garden, knowing what was about to happen)
5. Leather Whip (Pilate had Jesus whipped)
6. Crown of Thorns (soldiers, mocking him, placed this on his head)
7. Nails of the cross (Jesus was made to carry his cross, before being nailed to it)
8. Die (the soldiers were playing a game and taking bets, to see who could "win" Jesus' tunic)
9. Spear (one soldier stabbed Jesus in the side with a spear)
10. Linen cloth (what Jesus was wrapped in after death)
11. Stone (used as a door for Jesus's tomb, which an angel later rolled away)
12. Empty (as the tomb was)
For the very first time in my life, I understand the story of Easter! Call me slow, but hey man, I'm fired up!
You can hide the eggs, or pull one out at dinner time, letting each kid take a turn. Or you could even have the kids make their own treasure box with all 12 symbols inside. That way, you don't have to hear, "I want to hold the DONKEY!!!!! You got to open the EGG!!! It's MY turn," as you share the story and joy of our risen Lord.
Happy Easter everyone!
Hey Michelle,
ReplyDeleteOk so I just wrote a way too long note to you and I am realizing that I should just make my own note on my page rather than hog your page. lol.
Just wanted to share with you that I was told in Arkansas that if you want to get the locals to stop inviting you to their church, happens daily, then you should just tell them you are Catholic or Wiccan. lol Apparently 2 religions that are too much on the dark side for them.
ANother way I have seen your eggs done is through cookies. Kind of a cool way to explore the verses better:
Easter Story Cookies
You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. Vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
Zipper bag
Wooden spoon
Tape
Bible
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 childs 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 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us!
Read Ps. 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 of God’s eyes for those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa. 1:18 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 Matt. 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 John 16:20 & 22
On Easter morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open & empty.
Read Matt. 28: 1-9
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I love the Egg idea! Something I hadn't thought about pre-Jewish-husband: What J.C. was specifically doing at the L.Supper was leading a Passover Seder. The holiday was what brought them together that night. Breaking bread(symbol of life-giving nourishment)& sharing wine (blood/sacrifice) is an ancient part of that Jewish tradition. That's what Jesus is doing in the picture. It was an old tradition that they had practiced many, many times before but that night He taught a new significance that priests still recall at every mass with the words, "take this bread and think of it as ME..." I just think it is interesting in the historical context. Learning things like the parallel b/t those holidays make mass more interesting to me.
ReplyDeletePassover is when Jews remember (Exodus) how they were freed from the bonds of slavery and God fullfiled his promise of giving them a Holy Land.
Easter is when Christians remember how Christ's Sacrifice freed us from our sins and God fullfiled his promise of Heaven.