Gamel Easter Traditions 2013: Resurrection Cookies

A few months before Easter, I sat down and gathered all of the best family Easter traditions I could find, especially those that tell the story of Easter.  This is one of several Easter traditions we have adopted in hopes it will help our children more deeply appreciate and understand what Easter is all about.  We are always looking for creative ways to teach our children about God and the world around us.  If you have a family Easter tradition to share, please leave it in the comment box below!

The evening before Easter, Brian and I decided to make no-bake "resurrection cookies" with the kids.  I will post pictures of what we did and share instructions of what we followed, in case anybody is interested... (I borrowed this idea from: http://www.catholicmom.com/easter_story_cookies.htm)

"Preheat oven to 300 degrees F Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested the Roman soldiers beat him. 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 and belong to Him. 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 in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 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 Matt. 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 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 and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9."