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Easter "Do-Votion"
Karen Ehman

During the Easter season, I'm always looking for devotions to help my family and me celebrate the glorious truth of the Jesus' resurrection. I have found that my kids enjoy a more hands-on approach, something I call "do-votions" rather than devotions. Jesus Himself, was a master story teller often using illustrations from what was going on around His disciples in real life to make His point come alive. Here is an activity that does just that.

To make the resurrection story easy to understand for your loved ones this year, try making Resurrection Cookies. While serving as editor of a newsletter for moms in the late '90s, a reader mailed in this moving idea to me. The process of making these cookies and retelling the Gospel story will make a lasting impression on a family. Designed to make the resurrection story come alive, be sure to begin this recipe on Saturday night, right before Easter morning.
Here is what you'll need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon white vinegar
3 large egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup of white sugar
Plastic bag with a zip closure
Wooden spoon
Masking tape
Bible
Wax paper

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the pecans in the bag and close.

Read John 19:1-3. Let the children take on the role of the Roman soldiers using the wooden spoon to beat the bag of whole pecans, breaking them into very small pieces while shouting, "Hail Jesus! King of the Jews!"

Next, read John 19:28-30. When Jesus became thirsty He was given vinegar to drink. Have the kids smell the vinegar. Place it in a large mixing bowl.

Add the egg whites to the bowl and talk about how eggs represent new life reminding your children that Jesus willingly gave up His life to bring new life to us. Read John 10:10.

Read Luke 23:26-27. Give each child a tiny pinch of salt. Let them taste some and then brush the rest into the bowl. This represents the salty tears Jesus' followers shed.

Talk with your children about how the ingredients so far aren't very appealing. Egg whites are bland, vinegar is sour and the salt isn't good by itself. Now comes the sweet part of the story! Jesus died because of His love for us! Dump in one cup of sugar as you read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The whiteness represents the purity of those who have been cleansed from sin. Read Isaiah 1:18. Gently fold in the pecans.

Drop heaping teaspoons of the batter onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Read Matthew 27:57-60. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:62-66. Jesus tomb was sealed tightly shut. Place the cookies into the oven, close the door and turn off the oven. Give each child a piece of masking tape and have them help seal the oven shut.

Now it's bedtime. Your children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, just as Jesus' followers were sorrowful when the tomb was sealed shut. While tucking the kids in, read John 16:20-22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and sample the cookies. Notice the cracked surface. Take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter morning, the disciples were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-10.

Celebrate Easter and the powerful promise fulfilled as we remember Jesus' tomb was empty because He lives!

Finish with prayer, thanking God for His incredible plan of salvation. A wonderful way to drive home the reality of Christ and His resurrection!!! Happy baking!

Karen Ehman has been described as profoundly practical, engagingly funny and downright real. She is a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministriesnational speaking team and is a columnist for the Hearts at Home monthly magazine. Karen is the author of four women's books including A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others andThe Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized. Karen has been a guest on national television and radio programs including The 700 Club, At Home Live, Engaging Women, The Harvest Show, Moody Midday Connection and Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family.  Visit her website at http://karenehman.com