Resurrection-Focused Easter

As the flowers begin to bloom and spring whispers promises of new life, our hearts turn to the most profound celebration of our Christian faith — Easter. As I began celebrating Easter as a new mom, I quickly realized how easy it was to get caught up in the “Instagram worthy”, colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies. I want to create traditions that would help my children grasp the beauty of the Resurrection from an early age—to understand that this isn't simply a nice story, but the very foundation of our hope in God's sovereign plan of redemption.

The Heart of Easter – Teaching the Gospel to Children

In my journey as a young mom, I am discovering that meaningful traditions don't have to be elaborate or Pinterest-perfect. What matters most is creating moments that point our children's hearts toward the truth of who Jesus is and what He's done for us. We know that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9), but we're also called to faithfully teach our children the truths of Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). These simple practices have become treasured parts of our family's Easter celebration, and I hope they'll inspire you to create your own Christ-centered traditions.

Easter isn't just a holiday — it's the very heartbeat of our Christian faith. It's the moment when darkness was conquered, when hope was restored, and when God's incredible love was most powerfully demonstrated. But how do we help our little ones grasp this profound truth?

Explaining the Gospel to Young Hearts

Children understand love, sacrifice, and hope more deeply than we often realize. When sharing the Easter story, I've found it helpful to use simple, gentle language that emphasizes God's sovereignty and grace:

"Because of Adam and Eve's sin, every person is born with a sinful heart that cannot please God (Romans 3:23). But God, in His great mercy, had a plan to save His people. Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, willingly took the punishment we deserve for our sins. He died on the cross to satisfy God's justice and demonstrate His love. On the third day, God raised Him from the dead, conquering sin and death forever. This wasn't because of anything good in us, but because of God's amazing grace alone."

Anchoring Scriptures

Weave these powerful verses into your conversations:

• "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

• "He is not here; he has risen!" - Luke 24:6

• "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

• "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." - Ephesians 2:4-5

Simple Easter Devotions

In the weeks leading up to Easter, create a simple daily rhythm:

• Read Scripture passages that trace God's covenant of redemption

• Discuss one attribute of God revealed in the Easter story each day (His justice, mercy, sovereignty, faithfulness)

• Sing Psalms or Reformed hymns like "And Can It Be" or "In Christ Alone"

• Pray together, thanking God for His sovereign grace in salvation

Faith-Based Easter Traditions for the Home

The Resurrection Garden

Create a small garden together that tells the story of Jesus' resurrection:

• Use a shallow container filled with soil

• Place a small clay pot on its side to represent the empty tomb

• Add small rocks, moss, and tiny plants

• On Easter morning, remove a small stone to show the tomb is empty

Scripture-Based Easter Egg Hunt

Transform the traditional egg hunt into a faith-building activity:

• Fill eggs with scripture verses that tell the redemptive history from Fall to Resurrection

• Include verses that emphasize God's covenant promises throughout Scripture

• Create a journey through the eggs, with each verse leading to the next

• The final egg can contain a small treat and Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Good Friday Reflection

Create a solemn, meaningful evening:

• Light candles as you read the crucifixion account (we use a children's Bible for our toddler)

• Sit in quiet reflection

• Pray together as a family

• Consider wearing simple, dark clothing to symbolize mourning

For little hands that need to stay busy during reflection time:

• Make a simple cross from popsicle sticks and decorate it

• Create a salt-dough tomb that you can "open" on Easter morning

• Draw pictures of the cross and talk about why Jesus died for us

• Press handprints into modeling clay and add a small cross to create a keepsake

Celebrating Easter Sunday with Joy

Easter morning should burst with hope and celebration!

Sunrise Worship

• Wake up early and watch the sunrise together

• Read the resurrection account

• Sing "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"

Special Meal Traditions 

• Serve resurrection rolls (a symbolic bread where the marshmallow "disappears" like Jesus' body)

• Use a special tablecloth or china

• Have each family member share a specific attribute of God they're thankful for in the Resurrection

• Read a portion of a Reformed catechism (like the Westminster Shorter Catechism or the Heidelberg Catechism) that teaches about Christ's work of redemption

Christ-Centered Gifts

Instead of typical Easter baskets, consider:

• Easter Board Book or Storybook – The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross by Carl Laferton or The Donkey Who Carried a King by R.C. Sproul.
  

• Resurrection Eggs – A hands-on way to tell the Easter story.
  

• Wooden Cross Craft or Coloring Pages – Helps reinforce the meaning of Easter.
  

• Plush Lamb or Wooden Dove – Symbolizing Christ as the Lamb of God and the Holy Spirit.
  

• Faith-Based Stickers or Stamps – Crosses, Bible verses, or Easter symbols.
  

• Healthy Treats – Honey sticks, dried fruit, or homemade sourdough crackers.

Conclusion: Nurturing Faith, One Tradition at a Time

Dear mama, these traditions aren't about perfection. They're about being faithful in teaching our children the glorious truths of God's Word. We plant and water seeds, but ultimately it is God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Some years, things will be messy. Some years, the kids might be distracted. But God is sovereign over our humble efforts.

Remember, the most powerful witness is your own authentic faith. When your children see you treasuring Christ above all, delighting in His Word, and resting in His finished work—that's the most profound Easter lesson of all.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!" - Psalm 115:1

A Closing Prayer

Sovereign Lord,

Give us wisdom as we create traditions that point our children to Your glorious gospel. When we feel overwhelmed by Pinterest perfection or comparison, remind us that You work through our faithful, imperfect efforts according to Your perfect will.

Lord, may our homes be filled with the wonder of Your sovereign grace this Easter. Plant seeds of faith in the hearts of our covenant children, knowing that while we can teach them Your truth, only Your Spirit can open their eyes to see and their hearts to believe.

Grant us strength to keep the doctrines of grace at the center—not just during Easter, but in every ordinary moment. And when we stumble, remind us that our hope rests not in our performance but in the finished work of Christ alone.

For Your glory alone and the joy of the next generation, Amen.

May your home be filled with the joy of the Resurrection this Easter season.

Blessings, 

Ruth Fokkema