Resurrection Biscuits

This year we decided to do our "resurrection" biscuits the weekend before Easter (or Palm Sunday). Saturday morning we went on our annual helicopter-dropping Easter egg hunt with our friends Chris & Lisa, and unfortunately my camera battery was dead. So, hopefully I'll post some pictures of the event sometime if she emails me hers. Anyway, that evening we went to church at the Worship Center and learned about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I learned that the day He arrived was the lamb-picking day for Passover. I wish more churches would pass out palms like our old church did for worship, but I realize I'm just a creature of traditions. 

Sunday morning, Joshua put on a Burger King crown that he found among his toys (he never throws anything away!). We decided it didn't really matter if he wore it for our activity. 

We told the story of Jesus coming to earth and the boys named some miracles that He did while He was here (calming the storm, feeding the 5,000, healing the sick, etc).

We then talked about how Jesus died on the cross for our sins (the things we do wrong) and shed His blood for our forgiveness so that we can draw close to God again. After He died, His body went into a tomb with a big stone rolled across.

We placed the marshmallows in the tombs to represent Jesus' body.

Caleb LOVES marshmallows. So, he also ate a few. Is that like taking communion when he eats Jesus' body? Just kidding!

Joshua said this year, "Mom, I think that the marshmallows melt into the biscuits and that's how the 'body' disappears?" How did he get so old?!?! I told him not to ruin it for his brothers. After all, this was a lesson (and breakfast!). He agreed. I still remember him saying at three years old "Jesus is ALIVE! Jesus is alive! And...He ate the marshmallow out of my biscuit?!?!? That wasn't very nice of Jesus!!!" Haaa!!!

For those of you reading this for the first time, we used Pillsbury Grand Biscuits (the big ones) that are butter flavored. You open them and place a large white marshmallow inside (any other color won't completely go away).

We closed the tombs by pinching them shut, folding one half the biscuit over and pinching the sides down to represent the stone going over the cave. Then I sprinkled them with some cinnamon and sugar.

We set the oven to 15 minutes at 350 degrees (which was what the package said).

Then as the biscuits were baking, I read to the boys from our Easter Story book by Patricia Pingry. It's a great one for kids this age.

Then we set the table for breakfast.

We asked the boys if Jesus was still in the grave or if He was alive. His body was represented by the marshmallow. Was it still there? Caleb took the time to really look...

No, His body wasn't there when His friends came to look. He is ALIVE! Death couldn't hold Him down. He rose from the dead! And He's coming back for us! By His stripes we are healed; He made a way for us to go to the Father. Hallelujah!!!

Shawn enjoyed his biscuit breakfast and the family activity. :)

Ryan also ate breakfast well. I think he's saying "Yea!" below as we talked about Jesus being alive.

Later that night as we gave them a bath, I let them reenact the wind and the 'waves' as Jesus calmed the storm in the boat with His disciples. There were other activities I should have done to represent Easter, but I know that we're not limited to this time of year. We can continue to talk about the wonderful miracles of God all year long!

Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here! He has RISEN!

My devotions on Good Friday included Isaiah 53 about why Jesus died for our sins. It's worth the read! Here's the link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+53&version=NLT