Since the Easter season is upon us. I would like to share some ideas of how we, as grandparents can share the true meaning of Easter with our grandchildren. Easter is a great time to connect with our grandchildren whether they live down the street, across town or many miles away. There are fun activities we can use to teach our grandchildren the true meaning of Easter. It is essential to communicate to these precious children that Jesus loves them so much that He died on the cross for their sins and rose from the dead so we can have eternal life.

Here are a few suggestions you can use during this Easter season.

• Send your grandchildren an Easter card with a Bible verse and/or a note that you are praying for them. The younger ones enjoy getting mail and the older ones don’t mind.
• Send a CARE package: Easter egg coloring kit, Easter craft, Easter paper plate, napkins, and cups for a family dinner or a storybook with the true meaning of Easter. Of course, for young children Easter would not be complete with the traditional candy.
• Email, Text or send an electronic Easter card. There are some cute ones.
• Send the “Resurrection eggs” you can purchase online or at local Christian bookstore. online address: http://www.christianbook.com
• An excellent way to explain the Resurrection story is to make Resurrection Rolls with your grandchildren. (See recipe below)
• “Long Distance Grandma.” by Janet Teitsort is an excellent book with ideas for staying connected with your grandkids, no matter where they live. The book has recipes, craft ideas, and projects for each month

As grandparents, God has given us an awesome responsibility and privilege to have a part in the lives to make a significant impact on their lives. Let us make Easter a special celebration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Recipe for RESURRECTION ROLLS

• 1 tube crescent rolls
• Melted margarine or butter
• Large marshmallows
• Cinnamon
• Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Help grandchildren wash their hands before working with food.

Place a sheet of wax paper before each grandchild to use as a work surface. Hand each grandchild a triangle of crescent roll. Tell them that this represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in when He was laid in the tomb. Give each grandchild a marshmallow to represent Jesus.

Place a bowl with (warm, not hot) melted margarine or butter in front of your grandchildren and let them dip their marshmallow in it. Explain that the margarine or butter represents the oil that was used to protect and preserve Jesus’ body.

Prepare another bowl with cinnamon and sugar. Let each grandchild roll the marshmallow representing Jesus in the mixture. Tell them the cinnamon and sugar represents the spices that were used to anoint Jesus’ body for burial.

Wrap the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll Pinch the sides together; making sure that the dough is completely sealed. Let this step represent the wrapping of Jesus’ body after His death.

Place the wrapped marshmallows on a cookie sheet and place in the oven. Bake 10 o 12 minutes at 350 degrees. The oven represents the tomb, while the baking time symbolizes the three days that Christ was in the tomb.

When the rolls have cooled slightly, have the grandchildren open their rolls (grave cloth). They will discover that the marshmallow (representing Jesus) is gone. Christ has risen!

Have fun with your grandkids as you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Resurrection Rolls recipe was used by permission from Janet Teitsort, author of “Long Distance Grandma,” (West Monroe, LA: Howard Publishing, 2005), pages 50, 51. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for some fun ideas to do with your grandkids.

(c) 2011 Lillian Penner