For More Of What Matters This Easter

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Easter?” A bunny? Eggs? (More specifically, the white chocolate Reese’s peanut butter eggs?)

Do you picture little girls in pink gingham dresses and straw hats and boys in those adorable little bowties and suspender outfits?

Does your mind wander to thoughts of hosting a family get-together and automatically start drafting the menu?

Or do you think about Christ’s victory over evil?

Easter is the MOST important holiday for us as Christians. There is NOTHING worth celebrating more than Jesus’ death on the cross in atonement for our sins and His resurrection from death in victory over evil.

The true meaning of Easter has gotten so buried in springtime whimsy, and we tend to focus more on the celebration itself instead of the REASON that we are celebrating.

It is especially difficult for moms to focus on what is important on Easter, when we are distracted by pressures to get the perfect family photo in our perfectly Easter-y attire, or to prepare a brunch with fresh-baked desserts, and to arrange elaborate Easter baskets and egg hunts for the kids.

Focus your Easter on our risen savior this year!

The world is full advice for hosting a Pinterest-worthy Easter meal and filling overflowing easter baskets.

Here are some tips for making more room for Christ this Easter.

Spend time in the Word and talk about the resurrection as a family.

As with every other single day of the year, I am so very thankful for my daughters’ school for teaching them about Jesus. I often feel inadequate as a Christian because I didn’t spend much time in my first 28 years of life learning about God. I’m spending more time in The Word now, but I still don’t feel fully prepared to teach it to my children. They learn the Bible stories in depth at school, and I’m just trying to keep up with them.

Even though a part of me wants to just leave it to the school and relax, knowing that my girls are getting a wonderful Christian education, I know that they need to experience that at home as well.

This year, we will be using the Passion Week Devotional from Heidi Anderson at This Mother Hen. She always breaks down Bible verses is a way that is understandable and relatable. She’s also a straight-up HOOT and SO fun to listen to. I added the kids’ devotional this year – I’ve heard so comments about how fun and interesting she makes learning the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection for kids, so I’m super excited to go through that with my girls next week! There is an absolutely beautiful Easter egg for them to color that goes along with the discussion each day. I’m so excited for it!

Head to This Mother Hen for your own copy of the Passion Week devotionals. At the very least, you need to follow @ThisMotherHen on Instagram. It will be an upgrade to your feed for sure!

Easter is a CELEBRATION! Spend the day with fun activities that keep the focus on what really matters.

Attend a Church service. Don’t let family plans get in the way of attending a worship service this Easter! This is something that I’ve gotten really bad at over the years, and the first change that that I am making this year. Between traveling for family get-togethers and working around nap schedules, the day of Easter goes by so fast, and it can be a challenge to include a worship service, but it is SO important. What better way to keep Christ in your heart on Easter than hearing the story in a sermon and celebrating the resurrection with your fellow Christians?!

Focus on Christ during fun Easter traditions, too!

If you normally read books about how to catch the Easter bunny, or Clifford’s first Easter, be sure to also include the Bible story of Jesus’ resurrection.

Instead of decorating Easter egg cookies, make resurrection rolls as a family and discuss the representation of the empty tomb.

At craft time, create a resurrection garden or decorate crosses. Check out this post for a whole list of fun Christ-centered Easter activities and crafts for kids.

You can also include resurrection eggs in your Easter egg hunt! (I love the version for toddlers and preschoolers at https://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/preschool-resurrection-eggs/ )

There are so many ways that you can keep all of your favorite family traditions while focusing on Christ at Easter!

Keep Easter baskets Christ-centered and minimal (or skip them altogether!)

Easter baskets can be a really fun surprise for kids on Easter – just make sure that you’re helping your children focus on the most important part of Easter.

Give gifts that point the kids to Jesus. This year I’m including wooden crosses for my girls to paint and the Bible Belles books.

If your heart is set on a full basket, mix in some practical gifts – a spring clothing update, fun craft items, and spring and summer gear (bubbles, chalk, swimsuits).

You can also include a special snack! Just don’t go overboard with the Chocolate bunnies and Peeps (Does anyone actually eat those things?!).

Instead of allowing them to believe in a lie about the Easter Bunny, tell them the truth.

You will not damage your children by skipping elaborately festive baskets filled with sugar and toys or the belief that the baskets come from a rabbit.

If it feels difficult to give up on holiday traditions that you grew up with, I’m right there with you! Just remember that leading your children to Christ is the most important thing that you could ever do for them.

Also, remember to focus on progress over perfection. Try adding even a few of the suggestions above to keep Christ at heart this Easter!

 Do you have any other Christ-centered Easter traditions that you love? Share them in the comments!

You Might Also Like