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2014: Happy Easter!

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2014: Happy Easter!

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My favorite day of the year has arrived as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Rejoice, for He is Risen!

Matthew 28:1-6a

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 

And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” 

Power of the Cross

Oh, to see the dawn of the darkest day
Christ on the road to Calvary
Tried by sinful men, torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood

This, the power of the cross
Christ became sin for us
Took the blame, bore the wrath
We stand forgiven at the cross

Oh, to see the pain written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin
Ev’ry bitter thought, ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow

Now the daylight flees, now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head
Curtain torn in two, dead are raised to life
Finished the vict’ry cry

Oh, to see my name written in the wounds
For through Your suffering I am free
Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live
Won through Your selfless love

This, the power of the cross
Son of God, slain for us
What a love, what a cost
We stand forgiven at the cross

Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2005 Thankyou Music
  

Happy Easter!

2013: Happy Easter!

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2013: Happy Easter!

Photograph Credit: iClipArt

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Words by Charles Wesley and

music by George F. Handel

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!

He is Risen . . . He is Risen Indeed.

Happy Easter!

2013: Easter Crafts, Activities, and Resources

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2013: Easter crafts, activities, and resources

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With lots to celebrate this month among St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of spring, and Easter, we are playing rather than updating our home decor. I still have Valentine’s Day decorations out, so I skipped St. Patrick’s Day and head right to Easter. 🙂

For me, Easter is a time of reflection. Realizing that my Savior came to earth for the sole purpose of dying for my sin stops me. Contemplating my life and its direction, I pause more so at Easter rejoicing in gift of grace given to me at salvation.

During this Easter season, our family remembers Jesus’ death and burial, and then we celebrate His resurrection complete with egg hunts, coloring eggs, Easter baskets, and Resurrection eggs (my favorite activity of all). As we play and participate together, we remember the reason for Easter and rejoice in the resurrection of our Savior.

In reading through my favorite blogs, I discovered so many creative techniques and new activities. The following list contains my favorite free activities with links to the contributors. Happy planning!

Easter Crafts

Easter Printable Activities

  • Easter coloring pages and matching game by Meet Penny

Easter Recipes

Easter Reenactments

Easter Resources

  • 50+ listed Easter resources by The Better Mom

My girls love the crafts, coloring pages, and printable packs while my son enjoys the games, reenactments, and hunts. With all these resources, we have plenty of options for making our Easter celebration memorable.

With Easter a little over a week away, we are hunting for sales on eggs, gathering our supplies, and pulling out our decorations. In looking at all these great Easter resources, we may need to add a new game or activity to our celebrations. Happy planning!

Question: Which Easter activity is most anticipated at your home?

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links in accordance with Using Time Wisely’s full disclosure policy.

2012: Happy Easter!

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (James Emery)

The Triumph of Christ over Death

The Death of Jesus

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.

Jesus Is Buried

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

The Resurrection

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back— it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here (Mark 15:33-16:6).

He is Risen . . . He is Risen, Indeed!

Happy Easter!

2012: Celebrating Unhurried Easter Traditions

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Resurrection Eggs

For our family, the Easter holiday is much more than a bunny, plastic eggs, and new clothes. Teaching my children the Easter story from Christ’s birth through His resurrection is foremost in our celebrations. Yes, I say celebrations because rejoicing in our risen Savior is an everyday event.

Previous Routine

Typically, our Sunday morning routine becomes rushed and hurried. Many times we miss Easter Sunday’s early service due to the Easter baskets, taking the tags off the new clothes, and prying my children from their new toys. By the time I get to the service, my mind is not focused on rejoicing.

This Year’s Plan

This year, I proposed to Paul that we celebrate the Easter egg hunts, Easter baskets, and Easter pictures on Saturday. Without having to present the baskets of goodies and then asking them to put them away for later, our children can leisurely sort through their baskets and play.

Hubby loved the idea, so we plan to enjoy some family time on Saturday, get a great night’s rest, and then joyfully arrive to celebrate our risen Savior with our church family on Sunday morning.

Our plans are tentative and may change, but I look forward to focusing on Jesus Christ’s victory over death on this Easter Sunday. As you make your plans, consider ways to make this holiday special. Need some inspiration? Try these ideas:

Resurrection Eggs

By far, my favorite Easter tradition is using Resurrection Eggs to share the Easter story. Each of my children has their own set which they use to tell the Easter story. Though I could buy Resurrection Eggs, I choose to make my own. 🙂

Coloring Eggs

Since our family does not eat hard-boiled eggs, we color our eggs without boiling them first. Yes, we are very careful with them, but then I can use the eggs as I need them. If you hard boil your eggs and want a unique way to coloring, Favecrafts.com offers this free Easter Egg e-book.

Egg Hunts

Though we don’t fill our eggs with prizes or candy, our children love the egg hunts. The favorite hunts are after dark with flashlights. (Note to self: Remember to count the eggs before you hide them. If not, you will be searching for them in the morning. ;-))

Easter Baskets

Our family reuses our Easter baskets each year, and we bypass the crafts. But if you crave the crafts, then you might like All Free Holiday Crafts’ free Easter crafts e-book.

Recipes

You might be surprised to know that I have never hosted Easter dinner. Gasp! I usually supply a side item but not a  full spread. If you are preparing a feast or need a new item to serve, then the free e-book by Mr. Food may come to your rescue.

If you just want a fun dessert, I love the Resurrection Rolls made with crescent rolls, marshmallows, and more posted at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

In planning your Easter celebration, remember why you celebrate this holiday. Enjoy your activities without the hustle and bustle. With a little more planning this year, I hope this Easter will be a Sunday full of rejoicing in our risen Savior. Happy planning!

Question: What is your favorite Easter tradition?