Let’s be honest, 2021 is looking up a little compared to 2020, but we’ll be celebrating Easter apart for the second year in a row, here in Northern Ireland. This made me really upset last year and I struggled to see the good. However, this year, I am determined to celebrate and rejoice with others in the hope of the resurrection and the life we have in Christ. I thought I’d share a few ideas I’ve had to share the good news with non-Christians and share Easter joy with other Christians even though our services will be remote, socially distanced and/or online.
1. Make empty tomb rolls as a family.
I’ve seen these in a few places, but this blog post by Joy Food Sunshine also gives Bible verses and a play by play of what to say and how each part of the cooking process relates to the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. If you do this with children, it could get messy. But it’s a great opportunity to share the Easter story in a very visual and tactile way. So why not make the most of that chance?
2. Drop off a card and some Easter chocolate to neighbours.
Because we’ve all been living with a Stay at Home order for a lot of the last year, chances are we’ve not seen much of our neighbours. We used to pop by or chat on our drives, or have a conversation in the street. This has been scarcer in my experience, because people have been nervous to be too close to others. So why not make contact with a card and some chocolate to wish neighbours or other non-Christian friends (maybe school gate friends or coffee shop acquaintances) a happy Easter. Good opportunity to share the good news when you can’t be invited to an Easter service.
3. Make a cross sun catcher for your window.
My daughter made one of these about 3 years ago and it is one of her few crafts that survived 2 house moves. I’ll admit, it looks beautiful and is lovely hung on her bedroom window. I’m sure the neighbours see it when they open their curtains as a handful of houses look out on to that side of our house. Something beautiful, another opportunity to tell the gospel to your children as they craft and a little witness to neighbours.
4. Host a Christian themed Easter egg hunt in your garden.
You may have other children in your bubble, or you may be able to meet with one other family outside. Either way, this is a great way to have a bit of Easter fun and get your kids to put the pieces of the Easter story together. And always fun to find chocolate eggs in the garden!
5. Plant something.
Each spring, I am amazed at how things grow. The new life sprouting from the earth is such a wondrous thing. How about planting a seed or two with your children and giving these little pots to people nearby? A lovely spring gift with the reminder of new life.
Do you have any other ideas of things to do to celebrate Easter this year? I’d love to hear them! Please comment below and let me know.
