Prepare for Easter

                    Families grow stronger when we as parents and grandparents teach the children that we celebrate Easter in remembrance of the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I received the following Easter lesson/activity at a Relief Society conference and found it very interesting and useful.  I am posting the information a little early in order for you to have time to make the necessary preparations.  I believe the lesson/activity is applicable for both adults and children.

                    Eggs have become a part of our Easter celebration because they symbolize life.  Just as the chick finds life as it breaks through the egg shell, Christ broke the bonds of death when He rose from the tomb and brought eternal life to all of us. 

The following activity follows some of the events of the last week of Christ's life.  You can prepare for this lesson/activity by gathering the following items:  ten plastic Easter eggs, small cup, towel, silver coins, crown of thorns, purple robe, nail, piece of white cloth, rock, picture of the resurrected Christ, and a candle.  These items can be small enough to fit inside the eggs or they can be regular size.

Copy the following information and scripture references and place one slip of paper - plus the applicable item -in each plastic egg.  The activity involves viewing in order the items and reading the applicable information and scriptures explaining the object.  Make sure that you include the number so that the activity can be completed in proper order.

1.  The week before His death, during the week of the feast of the Passover, Jesus met in an upper room with His twelve Apostles, and instituted the first sacrament at the Last Supper.  This cup reminds us of the blood He would freely shed for us, and the life He gave for us.  Read Matthew 26:26-28.

2.  This towel reminds us of how Jesus washed and dried the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper, a reminder of our Savior's example of love and service.  Read John 13:4-5, 14-15.

3.  These silver coins represent the 30 pieces of silver for which Judas betrayed Jesus.  Read Matthew 26:14-16.

4.  This crown of thorns and purple robe remind us of how the soldiers mocked Christ.  Read Matthew 27:28-30 [JST Matthew 27:30]. 

5.  This nail reminds us of the suffering Jesus endured as they nailed Him to the cross and that He suffered death that we might live again.  Read Luke 23:46 and Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19.

6.  This white cloth represents the clean linen cloth in which Jesus was wrapped for burial.  Read Matthew 27:59.

7.  This rock represents the great stone rolled in front of the tomb to protect the body of Jesus.  Read Matthew 27:60.

8.  This egg is empty, just as the tomb was found empty by Jesus' loved ones on the third day after His death.  Read Mark 16:6.

9.  This picture of Christ reminds us that we celebrate Easter in remembrance of the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Just as the new chick finds life as it escapes from its shell, Christ brought eternal life when He rose from the tomb.  He has risen and lives once more; He brings life and light to all.  Read Luke 24:36, 39.

10.  This candle is to remind us of the light and life Jesus freely shares with us.  Let us follow His light.  Read John 8:12.

                    The twelve year olds in my Sunday School class seemed to appreciate this activity and acted like they understood the Atonement of Jesus Christ a little better.  They also liked the fact that I sent kits with the information and items home with them to use in family home evening.