Easter Cookies

A fellow Mops Mom passed this on to me and I thought it was a great way to explain the Easter story to our little ones...

Easter Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter.

1 c. whole pecans
pinch of salt
wooden spoon
1 tsp. Vinegar
1 c. sugar
3 eggs whites
zipper baggie
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300°.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with wooden
spoon to break into small pieces.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested, the Roman soldiers beat Him.
Read John 19:1-3.

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.

Add egg whites to vinegar.

Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us
life. Read John 10:10-11.

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. 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 and belong to Him. Read
Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 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.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie
sheet.

Explain that each mound represents the rocky tombstone where Jesus'
body was laid.

Read Matthew 27:57-60.

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.

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 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice
the cracked surface and Take a bite. The cookies are hollow!

On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb
open and empty.

Read Matthew 28:1-9.