Articles
Making sense of Easter for children
In many ways Christmas is an easy holiday to help children understand from a Christian view
point. It is Jesus' birthday, there are presents, a cute baby and warm fluffy animals, singing
angels and familiar carols with or without candlelight.
Easter is a different story. A thirty-three year old man is brutally tortured, deserted by his
friends and executed. His dead body vanishes. His friends see him alive three days later, but do
not recognise him. Then he goes away again. Over the years chocolate eggs, bunnies and lilies got
involved.
How can we help small children understand the wonder of Easter? Here are some ideas to get
you started:
Point out the cross on your hot cross buns. Make a point of eating them for afternoon tea at
3pm on Good Friday to remember Jesus' death on the cross.
Talk about hollow eggs being like the empty cave (tomb), which reminds us that Jesus is alive.
Watch the Veggie Tales' "Easter Carol" and talk about the song of Jesus' life sung by
Australian Rebecca St James as the Angel "Hope".
Talk generally about sacrifice, giving up what we love to help someone else, and use examples
in the family.
Pray with children, thanking God for helping us to become his children through Jesus'
sacrifice.
Find some hymns and choruses with an Easter message and make them a tradition. Play
Handel's Messiah if you or the kids like classical music.
Watch the cartoon "Prince of Egypt".
Have a Passover meal with friends and family and talk about what it means.
Practice and teach forgiveness and reconciliation between family members.
Get hold of some "resurrection eggs" from a Christian book shop.
Read the Easter account yourself. Make sure YOU get it.
