By Kristine John
About 3 or 4 years ago, I purchased the book A Christ-Centered Easter: Day-By-Day Activities to Celebrate Easter Week by Janet and Joe Hales.
It has been pulled out every Easter season with the intention of being used, and yet, I have never gotten around to implementing the suggestions it gives for making the Easter holiday more meaningful and truly Christ-centered.
It was just a few weeks ago that I stumbled upon this book, yet again, ahead of the Easter season.
I put it in a place in my kitchen where I would see it regularly and remember to use it BEFORE Easter day.
I was extra excited at the beginning of this week to start our daily devotionals because I knew that they would be focused on the Savior.
Not only that, but they would also help my children learn about and remember the Savior in a way that they had not done before.
We've spent the week talking about, reading about, and singing about the Savior.
It has truly made a difference in my heart to contemplate the joy of Easter over an entire week before the holiday.
Our spring activites (dyeing eggs, hiding the plastic, candy filled eggs, etc..) have been interspersed throughout the week, but not our primary focus.
The amazing thing is that I am pleasantly "full" spiritually already, and anxious for the "dessert" that lies ahead.
Tonight we will see the Easter pageant at the Mesa Temple, and culminate our spiritual Easter feast with our church services on Sunday.
How grateful I am for this season of joy, of sacrifice, and most importantly of remembrance and resurrection.
May the joy of this Easter season touch your hearts as you prepare to celebrate our Savior and Redeemer!
Hurray for you, Kristine! I purchased that same book and have really enjoyed it...although it took me a long time to use it as well! Thank you for the great reminder of what a joyous season this is! I haven't been feeling well and I let it affect my attitude. Your sweet post opened my eyes and my heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this new family tradition. My children have been discussing why we celebrate the risen Christ and not Christ on the cross like so many other churches. Your blog shows much of this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat pass-along. I never heard of the book but feel that I somehow get caught up in the "fun" stuff and forget the "real" stuff.
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