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EGGS-AMINE THE REAL EASTER STORY
egg carton
a dozen empty plastic Easter eggs
various small objects listed below.
Most are familiar with the little
chocolate Advent calendars with candies shaped like
toys or Christmas symbols under each door. This is a
variation that works as a countdown to Easter
Sunday, starting four days before Palm Sunday (in
1996, that would be March
27 [April 3rd for Orthodox Christians]).
Number the eggs 1 - 12. Fill with
symbolic items listed below. Open on appropriate day
and let children discuss the symbolism of each item
as it pertains to the Easter story.
Day l:
A small stone. Jesus knew that He was going to die
soon and went to fast in the desert. (Fasting is
mentioned almost 100 times in the Bible.) He was
hungry and the devil tried to make Him give in,
saying He could turn the stones into yummy
bread--but Jesus just told the bad one to go away.
Day 2:
A band-aid. Jesus traveled to the home of His
friend, Lazarus. Lazarus had become sick and died,
but Jesus raised him from the dead and he walked out
of his cave-grave still
wrapped up and his feet bandaged.
Day 3:
A small square of paper labeled: THINGS TO DO. List
on it:
1. Repair Temple step
2. Order Passover groceries
3.Find a way to get rid of Jesus!
The Jewish priests did not like Jesus' miracle with
Lazarus. It was going to make things difficult for
them--so they began to plot ways to get rid of
Jesus.
Day 4:
A blind-fold. Even though there was a big welcoming
party awaiting Him in Jerusalem, Jesus took pity on
some blind people He met on the way and stopped to
heal their sight. They went with Him to Jerusalem.
Palm Sunday
A thimbleful-worth of confetti (use a hole puncher.)
When Jesus came into Jerusalem after raising Lazarus
from the dead, people thought He was really
something! They waved branches and hollered--if it
was today, it would be like the confetti raining
down at News Year's.
Day 6:
A piece of nylon stocking cut off at calf length.
Put on over your head, it is the `tool' (mask) of a
robber! After He went into Jerusalem, Jesus turned
over the selling tables at the Temple, saying the
people had turned a house of prayer into a den of
robbers.
Day 7:
Tiny vial of perfume, a picture of perfume cut from
an ad, or small cloth sprayed with perfume. Two days
before Passover, Jesus' head was anointed with
precious oil as an act of tribute by a woman who
cared about Him. And He was very pleased with the
attention!
Day 8:
A dime (or 30.) Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30
pieces of silver the day before the Passover feast.
Day 9:
A chunk of soap (Jesus washed the feet of the
Apostles at the Last Supper)
Good Friday:
A thorn (off pyracantha or rose bush) to symbolize
the crown of thorns. Here is a lovely legend (NOT
found in the Bible!): A gray-black bird watched
sadly as Jesus carried his cross. She saw that a
particular thorn had pierced Jesus most painfully
and flew down to pluck it out with her beak. As she
tugged the thorn out, a drop of blood fell unto her
breast and her chest, and those of her descendants,
forevermore was red--a reminder of an act of
kindness. And that is why, they say, the robin has a
red breast and why they always arrive back from
wintering around Easter time.
Holy Saturday:
A Kleenex. Jesus' friends spent the day weeping and
sad. OR: A piece of the classifieds' "Help Wanted"
section: the Apostles thought they were out of a
job! Their leader was gone, their lives in turmoil.
Easter Sunday:
A butterfly (toy, picture). Christ is Risen like a
butterfly from a cocoon. He has conquered death for
all of us.
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