Easter Cookies:
All you need is; Bible, 1c pecans, 1 tsp. vinegar, 3 egg whites, pinch of salt, 1c sugar, Ziploc bag, wooden spoons, tape.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees, and line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. Place the pecans in a Ziploc bag and have the kids beat and smash them into little pieces with the wooden spoons. (the smaller the better)
Explain to them that this is what the Roman soldiers did to Jesus after he was arrested. While they are doing this, read John 19:1-3 Next, let each child smell the vinegar.
Add it to a mixing bowl and explain that this is what Jesus was offered to drink when he was thirsty. Read John 19:28-30 Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11
Sprinkle a little salt in each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that the salt represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our sins. Read Luke 23:27 Add one cup of sugar. Let them taste the sugar.
Tell them this is the sweetest part of the story because Jesus died because He loves us. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16 Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed.
When it turns white, explain that white represents the purity in God's eyes and those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3 Fold in the broken pecans, then drop mixture by spoonfuls onto paper.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60 Place the cookie sheet in oven and turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66 Go to bed.
Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that's how Jesus' followers felt when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and John 16:22 The next morning, open the oven and remove the cookies.
Take a bite, NOTICE- THE COOKIES ARE HOLLOW!!!
On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 29:1-9 This was such an amazing experience for me to see my children start to understand the true meaning of Easter. I know you'll have as much fun as we did. Definitely try this. You will be amazed at the questions your kids come up with. If you don't have a bible, you can still do this, there are several recipes online that include the verses. Even if you don't want to read the actual verse, you can just explain it in your own way. Have fun, and let me know how it goes!!
I am thankful for this Easter season, and thankful God gave me my children.
