The Heart & Essence of Easter

The Heart & essence of Easter should not be buried under activities and chocolates. It is a bit ironic that during Christmas, the city is filled with decorations to depict the season. You drive through many areas and you will see all the elaborate decorations.

Meanwhile, the Easter period, which is really why Jesus was born in the first place, does not seem to be accorded as much importance. So how do we capture the Easter essence or tell the Easter story to our wonderful children?

The first step is to speak in a way your younger children would understand. Older children would not be easily confused by the death and resurrection story (if they are not already familiar with it). You can watch age-appropriate movies about the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In addition to this, pick out books connected to the season for them to read. 

However, for the younger child, you need to first demystify the myths. As the world becomes more of a global village, our children are exposed to various influences. 

What is Easter?

In helping them understand the Easter story, children need to understand that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ, and in no way is there a correlation or story behind the Easter bunny or Easter egg. Help them understand the non-relevance to the Christian faith. 

To make it easier, get a children’s bible with pictures. (Or get the Easter story in printable versions of easy-to-understand bible versions here. They need to know that Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end of the story. He arose from death and is alive sitting on the right-hand side of God in heaven. 

Explain to them how God’s love for us is so great; that he was willing to send his son Jesus to die for us. This is because unlike you and me, Jesus was the only perfect and acceptable sacrifice.

Jesus was the only perfect and acceptable sacrifice. Click To Tweet

Explain terms like sacrifice, betrayal (Judas), crucifixion (death on the cross), and resurrection, and how they relate to the season.  You can choose to break your stories into the major days of the holy week; Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Then let them know what happened on those individual days and why. It would also be a good idea to attend Sunday school or the various Easter services at your church during this season.

The Easter story is a significant aspect of Christianity. Use these holidays to encourage your children to go out of their way to act out good Christian values like love and selflessness.

Watch this video here on what Easter is – Watch here

Happy Easter!