Easter Festivities

We had a pretty great Easter, minus the urgent care visit for a case of pink eye. Kimball's mom, Helen, was at our house on Saturday so that's when we decorated eggs and had an egg hunt. I was really glad that I was relieved from managing this because I'm not one for all the mess that comes with egg decorating, but I'm all for tradition and fun for the kids.

One of the most meaningful traditions we have at Easter is a lesson that involves opening different eggs, each with a symbol related to the last week of the Savior's life. The best part is taking out individual pictures of family members (on egg # 5) when we talk about who the atonement was for. I also love opening the last egg, which is empty, and asking the kids what that means. I'm so grateful for the Savior's all-encompassing atonement, especially because it provides me with strength to get through hard times, allows me to be clean from sin, and will enable me to be with the people I love someday. I don't have any doubt of these things because of the experiences I have with the Spirit every day. They are as real as touch, sight, sound or any of the physical senses and more profound and lasting.

EASTER EGG LESSON

One (a leaf or very small branch): When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people waved branches because that's what people used to do when a king walked by. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: (Mark 11:8-9)

Two (scrap of cloth sprayed with perfume): Later, Jesus was at dinner with his friends. A woman came and poured perfume on his head. This showed that she knew that he was the Christ and she knew that he would die soon. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as [Jesus] sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. (Mark 14:3)

Three (piece of tortilla or bread): The next day, Jesus had another special meal with his disciples. We call this The Last Supper. This is when the sacrament began, because Jesus said that people who followed Him should have bread and drink to help them remember Him. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. (Mark 14:22)

Four (bandaid and pictures of family members –explain how much suffering in Gethsemane hurt the Savior, but he did it for each one of us – this was touching for us as we asked who the Savior did it for and pulled out each family member's picture): Jesus went to a garden to pray. Here, he suffered for our sins. Because He did this for us, we can repent and live in heaven again. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit”and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink”nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (D&C 19:16-19)

Five (silver coins – dimes): Judas was supposed to be one of Jesus special helpers, but instead he helped other men arrest Jesus. He did this because those men paid him money. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him. (Mark 14:10-11)

Six (piece of purple cloth or paper): After Jesus was arrested, the soldiers were really mean to Him and made fun of Him. One thing that they did was to put a purple robe on Him. Only kings wore purple robes. They didn't realize that He really was a King”they were just teasing Him because people thought He was a king! And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, and began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! (Mark 15:16-18)

Seven (a nail): Jesus was crucified. When the soldiers put Jesus on the cross, they pounded nails into His hands and feet. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. (Mark 15:25) Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen. (D & C 6:37)

Eight (whole cloves or other spices): After Jesus died, His friends put his body in a tomb. Later, some of the women who followed Him came to the tomb to put spices on His body. That was something they did back then when someone died. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. (Mark 16:1)

Nine (little rock or stone – rounded if you can find it): The tomb had a rock that could roll over the opening to seal it. While the women were walking to the tomb, they wondered how they would get the stone out of the way. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. (Mark 16:3-4)

Ten: This egg is empty because Jesus tomb was empty. Jesus tomb was empty because He was resurrected! When they got to the tomb, they were amazed to find that the stone had been rolled out of the way”and Jesus body was gone! And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him Mark 16:6).