Monday, April 18, 2011

Easter Cookie Story

Bake these cookies to teach your children (or your grandchildren, or children’s friends) about Easter. Read through the directions so you can smoothly move from one step to the next and talk about the Bible readings. Plan plenty of time for discussion and questions. Step 2, breaking up the nuts, can be done early in the day or the day before, to save time while putting the rest of the recipe together.

Ingredients

1c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1c. sugar

zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300

2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Read John 19:1-3 Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat him.

3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Read John 19:28-30Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.

4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Read John 10:10-11 Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.

5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Read Luke 23:27 Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3 Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Read Matt. 27:57-60 Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.

9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Read Matt. 27:65-66. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

10. GO TO BED! Read John 16:20, 22. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.

This object lesson walks the participants through the Easter story and focuses on the hope and promise of resurrection.

This recipe appeared in the April issue of the Nebraska Family Times. If you would like a free sample copy of the Nebraska Family Times, e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net or call (402) 993-2467.