Empty

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." Luke 24: 1-3 (NIV)

When my oldest granddaughter was three, we began our "Resurrection Rolls" tradition. First we read a children's book of the Easter story. Then we assembled the ingredients: crescent roll dough, big marshmallows, melted butter, and a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Dipping the marshmallow in butter and then rolling it in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, I explained Jesus' body was anointed with oil and spices before being laid in the tomb. We wrapped the marshmallow in the bread dough, carefully sealing the seams. I reminded her that a large stone was placed over the tomb's entrance.

After baking the resurrection rolls for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F, and allowing them to cool, it was time for the big reveal!

"Empty," she said, peeking inside the two halves I held in my hand. And, the beautiful thing...she expected it.

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see..." (Matthew 28:6) Chew on that truth for a while. Savor it. And let it resurrect your hope.

What activities do you do with your children or grandchildren to help them understand the real meaning of Easter?