be intentional {easter}

Last year I read Treasuring God in Our Traditions by Noel Piper. I was just beginning to think through this idea of being more intentional with my family...and that included developing God-centered traditions. I loved this book. I might need to read it every year...just as a reminder. It is such a good guide as we seek to cultivate in our children a deep love for God in both our "everyday" and "especially" traditions.

One of the "especially" traditions that Noel talks about in her book is Easter. She has so many great ideas. Although Levi is still really young, I wanted to try to start our Easter traditions this year. Noel and her family have a Resurrection Tree at Easter. They hang symbols on the tree that remind them of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. My friend Julie is also doing a Resurrection Tree with her kids. She has a great post that includes passages and symbols to use with the tree. I thought that the Resurrection Tree might be a little over Levi's head this year, but I still wanted to try using the symbol idea. So, we are basically doing the same thing except with Resurrection Eggs.

I gathered up all my supplies today and got everything ready. I basically used Julie's passages and symbols (thanks Julie!) and tweaked them a little to work for us. I have twelve eggs, so we will start on Wednesday.

Day 1: Triumphal Entry (Matthew 21:1-9)

Symbol: donkey

Day 2: Jesus washes the disciples feet (John 13:1-20)
Symbol: washcloth

Day 3: Passover (Luke 22:7-23)
Symbol: saltine cracker

Day 4: Jesus Prays on Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39-46)
Symbol: praying hands

Day 5: Jesus Arrested (Luke 22:47-54)
Symbol: flashlight (darkness)

Day 6: Peter's Denial (Matthew 26:69-75)
Symbol: rooster

Day 7: Judas Returns Silver (Matthew 27:3-9)
Symbol: 3 silver coins

Day 8: Jesus before Pilate (John 18:28-32)
Symbol: crown for a king

Day 9: Jesus to be Crucified (John 19:1-16)
Symbol: crown of thorns

Day 10: Crucifixion (John 19:17-37)
Symbol: cross/nails

Day 11: Jesus is Buried (John 19:38-42)
Symbol: rock

Day 12: Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-10)
Symbol: empty egg

I know a lot of this will still be over Levi's head, but it is amazing what these young kiddos already understand. I think he will know what most of the symbols are. I want to read the passages together as a family, but also use Levi's Bible to show him pictures and tell the story of Easter.

I also asked my friend Jill if she had any recommendations for Easter books for Levi (she always has great ideas). She recommended What is Easter by Michelle Adams.

It comes in a board book which will be perfect! The last page reads:

Okay, now I get it.
The Easter Bunny is okay,
And Easter eggs are fun.
But Easter's not about that stuff.
It's all about God's son.

I am excited to be more intentional as Easter approaches this year. And what about me? I am working on memorizing Isaiah 53. I have been studying Isaiah in BSF this year and we studied this chapter a few weeks ago. Perfect timing with Easter around the corner. I have been thinking a lot about this question that was asked in my study notes that week:

How often do you stop everything you are doing to thank God for His incredible plan to save sinners through the sacrificial death of His Son in their place and on their behalf?

What about you? What are you doing to prepare for Easter?