A few years ago, we made Easter Story Cookies (also called Resurrection Cookies). Click here for the recipe I used.
I am not an expert in the kitchen by any means, but I do enjoy a good opportunity to spend time with my kids doing an activity that also teaches them about the Bible.
These should be made on Holy Saturday before bed. If you are planning to attend the Easter Vigil Mass, you could also make them before you leave.
Gather your ingredients and your Bible, and let’s begin learning about Holy Week! The recipe instructs you to start at The Scourging at the Pillar, but I would back up a bit and start with Luke 22:39-53.
The Scourging at the Pillar
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they dressed him in a purple robe. They kept coming up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
John 19:1-3
After you read the above verses from John, the children should crush 1 cup of pecans in a plastic bag by beating them, maybe with a wooden spoon, just as Jesus was beaten. Be sure to explain the word “flogged” to young children.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:28-30
Here, the children should smell the vinegar. This is supposed to convey to them that when Jesus was thirsty, he was given something terrible to drink. However, my kids love salt and vinegar chips and regularly eat large quantities of pickles, so they actually thought the vinegar smelled great. I think they still got the point…
Pour 1 tsp vinegar into a medium bowl.
The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11
If you’re like me, you might be frustrated that we just moved backward in the book of John. I like linear progressions. With the reading of this verse, add 3 egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs also life, and Jesus gave his life for us.
The Crucifixion of Jesus
A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.
Luke 23:27
Let the children taste a small amount of salt, which represents the tears of those who were crying for Jesus as he carried his cross. Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
John 3:16
Add 1 cup of sugar. Why did Jesus die for us? Because he loves us. Beat with mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Now the mixture is white, reminding us of the purity of Jesus.
The Burial of Jesus
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.
Matthew 27:57-60
Fold in the broken nuts, and drop them by teaspoons onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Each teaspoon represents the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Matthew 57:65-66
Place the cookies in the oven, close the oven door, and turn the oven off. Seal it. (We used a chair as the “guard” securing the tomb.)
Sorrow Will Turn Into Joy
It’s time to go to bed. They may be sad that they cannot eat their cookies yet, but instead they have to leave them in the oven, which will grow cold overnight. Jesus’ followers, too, were very sad to have to leave his body in the tomb and go back to their homes.
Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy. So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
John 16:20 and 22
The Resurrection of Jesus
Rejoice! Sing Alleluia! Take the cookies out of the oven, and see that they are hollow – empty like the tomb.
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Matthew 28:1-9
More ideas for Holy Week:
5 Movies to Watch During Holy Week
3 Ways to Meditate on the Stations of the Cross at Home
