He is Risen! Resurrection Day 2014

"Jesus is alive!  He is risen!  Jesus saves!"  These were the statements being shouted with excitement around our house on Resurrection Day (a.k.a. Easter). This year with the boys being a little bit old, it was exciting to watch them engage their minds on what Resurrection Day was all about.  During the month of April we did a variety of activities surrounding the celebration of Resurrection Day.  Each one of the boys had fun making their own lap books filled with games, songs and educational activities.  We made yummy Resurrection Rolls, which the boys devoured quickly. Then during the week leading up to Resurrection Day, we read selected verses about the Resurrection Story from the Bible together each evening with our candles lit and afterwards would blow out a candle symbolizing that we were getting closer to Jesus dying on the cross.  So that by the time of Good Friday all the candles would be blown out and then on Resurrection Day we would light all them again displaying that Jesus is alive.  On Good Friday we attended our Good Friday service at church and then on the night before Resurrection Day we did our traditional Resurrection Baskets at home.  That's where we have the boys go on a rock hunt, filling their baskets full until it feels heavy and we use this time to explain the weight of sin that Jesus took upon Himself on the cross from us.  Then before going to bed we cover the baskets with a red cloth symbolizing that Jesus had to die for our sins.  When the boys wake up the following morning they are excited and surprised to see that their baskets are no longer covered in red but a purple and white cloth, displaying that Jesus conquered sin and death...that He is King and has made us clean by washing our sins away.  They then uncover their baskets to find fun toys and goodies in celebration of the goodness of our God in sending His son to save us from our sins. After our time at home we headed over to Nana's house to enjoy a delicious dinner together with family, an Easter Egg Hunt and opened up some more Easter Baskets. All in all it's a wonderful time together growing our appreciation for what Jesus has done.