Let's see, it's Easter 1960. Grandma and Mama have sewn our Easter outfits. Mama and I have purchased our hats and gloves. Everything is ironed and laid out for Sunday morning. Only the Easter baskets are left to prepare.
Mama brought out the vinegar and dye tablets, a coffee cup (not a mug) for each tablet, a spoon and an old towel. Leftover baskets with fresh plastic or paper grass were placed on the table beside the towel. The Easter bunny didn't leave our baskets. We helped dye the eggs in the stinky colored vinegar. We were excited to balance the hardboiled eggs on our spoons and dip them in the cups. Sometimes there was a wax pencil to draw designs before we dyed the eggs. The dyed eggs were gently lifted from the cups and placed on the towel to dry. Then we decorated our own baskets with eggs and candy wrapped in colored foils. But never were we told anything about how eggs were related to Easter.
When my own children were small, we often visited my grandma, who was nearing 90 at the time. The discussion came up about dying eggs with my babies. Somehow, we worked around to the subject of how eggs have anything to do with Easter. I had no idea, and she was shocked.
"Why, the shell represents the tomb!" surprised no one had taught me that. "There's unseen life inside an egg. When it's ready, the chick will burst forth like the resurrection."
Well, that made perfect sense. Why hadn't I even thought of that? Of course, our hard boiled eggs had no life left in them, but a fresh egg certainly could, especially the farm eggs Grandma was used to gathering.
There are several ideas as to the origins of colored eggs and spring celebrations. We too can derive some meaning for today's children. So what can we say about Easter eggs?
- Fresh eggs encapsulate life with the appearance of death, just as the tomb, in death, held the answer to eternal life in Jesus.
- Eggs need 3 weeks to hatch. Jesus lay in the grave 3 days before he was resurrected.
- The hatchling uses its beak to crack the shell and come out. Jesus used his voice to call Lazarus from the tomb. A great earthquake and angels announced Jesus's resurrection. One day, His voice will call us from the grave as well.
- Easter eggs are dyed or painted in a variety of colors. Jesus died for everyone of every color.
- We hunt for eggs hidden all around. Jesus goes wherever people are found to bring salvation to anyone who will believe on Him.
- We gather the eggs in a basket. Jesus will gather us and take us one day to our heavenly home. Until then, we gather in our churches to worship the One who has overcome death and the grave.
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. Thank you for sending reminders all around us that you are the giver of life eternal through Jesus. Help us remember to tell our children that you are the Creator God and that everything and everyone has a purpose in worshipping you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hey Kids:
Easter egg hunts are usually for the little kids but you can play a part as well.
- Help little ones learn to dye eggs. Search out natural dyes, and use brown eggs instead of white.
- As you dye the eggs, relate the Easter story to younger children who may not yet know or understand.
- Relate to the little ones how the shell is like a tomb, and a baby chick grows inside the shell when left for the hen to keep warm.
- Let the little ones know Jesus loves all the children of the world. Sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children."
- When we hunt for eggs, we are like Jesus, who looks for people who love Him and want to belong to Him.
- We put our eggs in our baskets. When we gather in our churches to worship, we are gathered together like eggs in a basket, every color and every nation.
