HUNTING EASTER EGGS: Include Jesus in the Fun!
Little kids dressed in their Sunday best, holding tightly to wicker baskets as they run around searching high and low for colorful eggs filled with candy or coins or other surprises. No one denies that it’s cute, but many people wonder: What does that have to do with Easter? Well, with a little effort and imagination, an Easter egg hunt can actually be a great teaching tool.
Eggs represent new life. Whether we’re talking about little blue ones in birds’ nests or speckled ones in chicken coops or even microscopic ones waiting to develop into full-grown humans, eggs have long been a symbol of new life. Talking with children about how baby chicks emerge from their shells to start their lives in the world could lead to a discussion of how Jesus emerged from the tomb to start a new kind of life as well.
Searching is a valuable skill. “Seek and you will find,” Jesus tells the crowd in Matthew 7:7. Granted, He wasn’t talking about candy-filled eggs. He was talking about the Father and how we need to be willing to seek Him out when we have questions or need help. Just as children are going to search high and low during an egg hunt, they can be reminded to look for God in the same way: Where do they see Him? Where do they hear Him? When have they needed His help and searched for Him before? Searching is not only fun, it’s important!
Community is key. Hosting an Easter egg hunt is a wonderful opportunity for us to embrace the children and families in our congregation. People will be donating and filling the eggs ahead of time, other folks will be hiding them, and even more will help guide and supervise the organized chaos once the kids are set loose to search. What a fun, tangible way to carry out our command to “Love one another.”
Templeton Pres is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 24 on the front lawn after our regular 10AM church service. All are welcome—bring a friend...or two!
Soli Deo Gloria!
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