We finally got around to making those neat Resurrection cookies for Easter Sunday.
The night before Easter, we made these cookies while reading from the Bible of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.
I managed to snap a few pictures while we were making the cookies.
The night before Easter, we made these cookies while reading from the Bible of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.
I managed to snap a few pictures while we were making the cookies.
Elizabeth, beating the nuts symbolizing just as Jesus was beaten.
The boys watching the batter being whipped up (they're basically meringues)
The white is for purity.
Placing the cookies onto the cookie sheet...
...and into the oven.
We then sealed the oven - just as the tomb was sealed - and went to bed.
In the morning we woke up, unsealed the oven and took a bite of our cookies. Unfortunately, I dont have any pictures of this because we were busy in the morning getting ready for church too. The cookies, though, were hollow in the center like an empty tomb. Unfortunatly, our cookies didnt turn out so well, I think I need to tweek some oven temperatures or cookie sizes when we try it next year. :)
Here is the recipe and Bible Verses that were read along as we made the cookies... it's a great lesson to do anytime of the year, not just Easter.
Ingredients:
- 1C whole pecans (we used almonds)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 egg whites
- pinch salt
- 1C sugar
- zipper baggie
- wooden spoon
- tape
- Bible
Instructions:
Preheat Oven to 300 F. (Note: Do this first, don’t wait until you are half way done with the recipe!) Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let your children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
- Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
- Read John 19:1-3.
1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. 2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, 3 And said , Hail , King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
- Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
- Read John 19:28-30.
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished , that the scripture might be fulfilled , saith , I thirst . 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said , It is finished : and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.
- Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
- Read John 10:10-11.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal , and to kill , and to destroy : I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
- Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
- Read Luke 23:27.
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar.
- Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us, He wants us to know that and He wants us to love Him as well.
- Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
John3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life.
John3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
- Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
- Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Isaiah 1:18 Come now , and let us reason together , saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
John3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest , except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John3:1-3 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest , except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
- Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
- Read Matthew 27:57-60.
When the even was come , there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple : 58 He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered . 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed
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.
- Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
- Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way , make it as sure as ye can . 66 So they went , and made the sepulchre sure , sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
GO TO BED!
- Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
- Read John 16:20- 22
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament , but the world shall rejoice : and ye shall be sorrowful , but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come : but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice , and your joy no man taketh from you.
On Sunday morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On Resurrection morning, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
- Read Matthew 28:1-9.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold , there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake , and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified . 6 He is not here: for he is risen , as he said . Come , see the place where the Lord lay . 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold , he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo , I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word . 9 And as they went to tell his disciples , behold , Jesus met them, saying , All hail . And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
