Several years ago, when my son was four, something happened that changed the way our family celebrates Easter. My son and I were at the drugstore when he noticed a bunch of big Easter baskets perched high on a shelf. The store manager had placed them there while the employees were moving out the Valentine’s Day merchandise.

With much excitement he exclaimed, “I want one of those, Mommy, pleeeese!” The colorful baskets wrapped in shiny cellophane and filled with chocolate eggs, a fluffy white bunny and assorted toys was very enticing to my four-year-old. Then he said something that stopped me dead in my tracks. “Mommy, Easter is about the Easter Bunny. That’s when he comes.” “What did you just say?” I asked him. “Easter is when the Easter Bunny comes.” he replied. Oh no, I thought. This is NOT good. I didn’t want him to think that Easter was about an overgrown bunny bringing baskets of candy and eggs. It was time for him to learn that Easter is not about the Bunny.

1. Setting the Record Straight

Many people are not aware that Easter has its roots in pagan religions. Hundreds of years before Christ appeared, Easter was celebrated as a festival honoring pagan fertility gods and the coming of spring. In fact the word “Easter” is the English translation of “Eostre.” which is the name of an ancient Saxon fertility goddess. According to church historians, it was not until the second century that the rituals of these pagan festivals were altered and incorporated into a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

Today when many Christians celebrate “Easter” their intention is that it be a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. With the growing trend toward secularizing Easter, many Christian parents are finding it difficult to keep their children’s focus on Christ. This was the case with our son. One of the ways that we combated this pressure was to start referring to Easter as “Resurrection Sunday”. We feel calling it by a Biblical name helps us keep a spiritual focus.

2. Recounting the Story

An important part of our Resurrection celebration is the recounting of the Resurrection story. When our son was young, we read the story to him from his children’s Bible and use puppets to re-enact the event.

As he grew older and able to comprehend more detailed information about the Resurrection, we did a Bible study with him. We read the following passages and discussed with him what it meant.

Starting the Friday before Resurrection Sunday, we read about the Last Supper and the betrayal of Jesus. Matthew 26:1 through 27:9. Then we read the Crucifixion account. Matthew 27: 11-55

On Sunday we read about the Resurrection: Matthew 27: 57 through 28: 20

3. The Bunny Gets the Axe

Because we wanted the Lamb of God to be the center of our Resurrection celebration, we decided to give the Easter Bunny his walking papers. We wanted our son to understand that this celebration is about Christ and not a floppy-eared rabbit. By eliminating the Bunny we could focus his attention on Christ, where it rightfully belongs.

4. Keep it Fun

Easter, especially in America, has become very commercialized. Stores carry Easter baskets filled with chocolate eggs, peeps (marshmallow chicks) and fluffy stuffed animals as early as the week after Valentine’s Day. The appeal of these secular items is that they are fun.

When we made the decision to do away with the Easter Bunny, we didn’t want to do away with the fun. Our intention was to emphasize the true reason for the holiday. So we decided to incorporate fun activities, while teaching the Resurrection story.

Because children learn not only from verbal instruction but also from what they see and experience, we decided to do some hands-on lessons. On the Saturday evening before Resurrection Sunday we made Resurrection Cookies and Resurrection Rolls.

5. Make it Memorable

Symbols are a great way to enhance the teaching process. Instead of giving our son an “Easter Basket” we decided to give him a “Resurrection Basket” filled with things that relate to the Resurrection Story. If you are interested in doing this, below are a few examples of what you might put in a basket:

• a small stuffed lamb (Jesus the Lamb of God)
• a chocolate cross
• candy “stones” (similar to jelly beans) that represent the rock that was rolled away from the tomb
• a packet of seeds to represent the new life that Christ offers
• bubbles to represent the angel that heralded “He has Risen” to the women at the tomb (Matthew 28:5-6).
• Christian coloring books
• a Christian Children’s books about the Resurrection
• the Resurrection Story on Video or DVD

Another thing we did was to make our own homemade version of the popular Resurrection Eggs and have an egg hunt. This activity is similar to a conventional egg hunt but instead of hiding hard-boiled eggs you hide 12 plastic eggs filled with scriptures and items that represent different stages of the Resurrection story. After they are retrieved, you open each egg and discuss the scriptures and the contents.

For centuries Christians have given eggs as a symbol of the new life that Christ offers. Today this symbol is still used to teach children about the greatest gift, salvation through Jesus Christ.

If your children enjoy coloring eggs try this idea. Decorate your eggs (the hard-boiled kind) by drawing Resurrection symbols and sayings on the eggs with crayons before you color them. Then when you dip them in dye, the wax resists the dye and your images show through. Some examples of sayings you can write on your eggs are “He has risen!”, “Lamb of God”, “He Lives” and “New Life.” Some symbols are a cross, a lamb, and an empty tomb.

You could also have a scavenger hunt using a list of articles that represent the resurrection. Children can fill their list from things they find at home.

Celebrating the Resurrection should be about the joy and excitement of Christ’s victory over death, not about a bunny that delivers eggs and candy. I hope you’ll try some of these ideas or create traditions of your own that help your children focus on what Christ has done for them. After all, Easter isn’t about the Bunny it’s all about the Lamb…

Making these rolls with your childen is a great way to teach them about the resurrection of Jesus.

Ingredients

• 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 8 large marshmallows
• Melted butter
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Directions

Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb. Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ. Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial. Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow. Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will “ooze” out of the seams) Bake according to package directions. Cool.

Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!! Celebrate God’s love!

What a wonderful recipe to share with the children. These cookies are made the evening before celebrating the Resurrection, and are cooked in a warm oven overnight so they will be ready on Resurrection Sunday morning.

You need to preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important–don’t wait until you are half done with the recipe!)

• 3 egg whites
• 1 cup whole pecans or walnuts
• 1 tsp. Vinegar
• A pinch salt
• 1 cup sugar
• A zipper baggie
• A wooden spoon
• tape
• Bible

1. Place nuts 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.

2. 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.

3. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

4. 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.

5. So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1cup 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.

6. 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 Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

7. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto parchment-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. On Resurrection morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9

Buttermilk Pie is a dish that comes from the Amish people of Pennsylvania.  The Amish are a religious sect that emigrated from Germany in the 18^th and 19^th century along with Lutherans, Mennonites, Crefelders, Dunkards, Shwenkfelders, Seventh Day Adventists, Anabaptists and Moravains to escape religious persecution.  Collectively referred to as the Pennsylvania Dutch due to a corruption of the word Deutsch, meaning “German,” these people settled in Pennsylvania.  The Amish, who live in Lancaster County, are the best known group of the Pennsylvania Dutch.

Buttermilk Pie is typical of the simple desserts made by the Amish.  Its star ingredient is dairy, which is Pennsylvania’s number one agriculture crop.  This delicious dessert is part of Pennsylvania’s rich heritage.

Ingredients

• 1 unbaked pie shell
• 1-1/2 C of sugar
• 1/4 C of flour
• 1 stick of butter or margarine melted
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 C buttermilk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Place pie shell into pie plate.  In a large mixing bowl, mix sugar and flour together.  Add the melted butter and cream together.  Beat in the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.  Batter will be liquid.  Pour liquid into pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until knife comes out clean.  Cool 15 minutes before serving.  May be served warm or cold.

Every home needs to have a toolbox. Whether you are putting up pictures, fixing a leaky faucet, or doing any number of small home improvement projects you will need to have some basic tools on hand. If you don’t already have a toolbox, below is a list of basic items that you will want to acquire. We have also included a list of additional items you may want to purchase to take your toolbox to the next level.

• Toolbox – You should buy your tools first and purchase a toolbox large enough to hold your tool. Make sure that there is also room to add more tools later if you find that you need additional items. Buy a light-weight plastic toolbox so that you will be able to carry it from room to room.
• Screwdriver Set – We recommend purchasing the all in one type of screwdriver with various-sized flathead and Phillip’s bits that plug into the screwdriver handle. It saves space and is easy to use.
• Hammer- a medium-sized claw hammer with rubber grip.
• Folding Set of Alan Wrenches (also-called hex keys) – Used assembling build-it-yourself furniture.
• Retractable Measuring Tape -A small 12-foot tape is the perfect size for a home toolbox.
• Pliers- When you come across something small and tough to grab with your fingers, pliers are perfect for the job.
• Wrench – A small adjustable 10-inch wrench. Used on nuts, bolts and pipes.
• Nut Driver Set- When a wrench or pair of pliers won’t fit in a tight space a nut driver set can handle the job. It’s similar to an all in one screwdriver but instead of having Phillip’s or flathead bits it has small sockets.
• Level – Helps make sure your pictures and mirrors are hung level. A small plastic level is all you need.
• Utility Knife- For cutting duct tape and opening packages. Be safe and get one with a retractable blade.
• WD 40 Lubricant – For fixing squeaks, lubricating sliding glass door tracks and loosening rusted screws.
• Electrical Tape – For wrapping wires.
• Teflon Pipe Tape – Keeps pipe joints from leaking.
• Assorted Nails and Screws
• Duct Tape – there are thousands of uses for duct tape. Just ask you husband.
• Safety Goggles
• Utility Gloves

Additional Items

To take your toolbox to the next level the following tools are very helpful.

• Stud Finder
• Small Cordless Handheld Drill
• A Small Hack Saw – Used to cut metal.
• A Small Hand Saw – Used to cut wood.

3 lbs. beef round steak

1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

2 medium onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings

2 (4 oz.) cans sliced mushrooms, drained or 1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced

1 (10 1/2 oz.) can condensed beef broth or equivalent amount of beef stock

1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)

1 1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup flour

Trim all excess fat from steak and cut meat into 3 inch strips about 1/2 inch wide. Combine 1/2 cup flour, salt, pepper and dry mustard; toss with steak strips to coat thoroughly. Place coated steak strips in crock pot. Stir in onion rings and mushrooms.

Add beef broth and wine; stir well. Cover and cook on low setting for 8-10 hours. Before serving, combine sour cream with 1/4 cup flour; stir into crock pot and cook for an additional 20 minutes on high. Serve stroganoff over rice or noodles.



3 cups Quick-Cooking Oats

Salt

8 Plastic Sandwich Bags

Put 1/2 cup oats in a blender and whirl at high speed until powdery; reserve in a small bowl and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 cup oats. If you’re using a food processor, powder the 1 cup of oats in one motion.

Into each sandwich bag put 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and a scant 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container.

To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water; stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water; for thinner, use more water.

(I microwave for 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 minutes or until done on high)

Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and 2 T. chopped dried apples.

Cinnamon-Spice Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and a scant 1/8 t. nutmeg.

Fruit and Cream: To each packet add 1 T. dry milk and 2 T. dried fruit or fresh fruit after cooking or jam.

Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar: To each packet add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.

Sweetened Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 T. sugar

Wheat Germ Oatmeal: To each packet add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

Instructions

Cook beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Place beans in bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well.

Melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; stir 30 seconds. Add beans; sauté until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and lemon peel. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to platter.

Yield: 4 wraps

Chicken:

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4- 12-inch flour tortillas

Vegetables:

1 small cucumber, peeled, and thinly sliced

2 cups fresh bean sprouts

1 cup shredded or thinly chopped carrots

3 scallions, sliced thinly

12 basil leaves

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

salt to taste

Peanut Sauce:

1/4 cup peanut butter

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

2 tablespoon vegetable oil

Combine soy sauce and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and sauté until cooked through. Slice chicken into thin strips and set aside. Combine all the vegetables and season with salt if desired. In a separate bowl whisk sauce ingredients together, gradually pouring in the vegetable oil in a stream.

Warm tortillas in the microwave. Place sliced chicken and vegetables into the tortillas drizzling liberally with peanut sauce before rolling. Slice in half on an angle and serve.