You might say to a young child under 10, “Do you know the reason we celebrate Easter? It’s because Jesus gave us a very special gift. Do you know how sometimes, even when we try our best not to, we fight or argue? Jesus went to heaven early so God could forgive us, even when we don’t do our best. ” To a child over 10, you might say, “Do you know why Easter is so important to me? It reminds me that Jesus loves me. People on earth in Jesus’ time did not recognize how good Jesus was. They actually punished him, even though he was perfect. He accepted that punishment and died. Easter is the celebration of when Jesus rose from the dead to be with God. He gave his life so we could always ask God to forgive us when we fall short of his example. ”
These bibles use words that are more accessible to children. You may find yourself enjoying the clear and simple language, too! Tailor any responses you give to your child’s questions to their age. Crucifixion is a scary concept even for adults. If a child asks, you might say, “Crucifixion was a kind of punishment for people who did bad things. Jesus wasn’t bad, but he endured the punishment because he loved all of us. He wanted us to always be able to ask God for forgiveness when we are not perfect. ”
You might say, “Remember, on Maundy Thursday we celebrate the day Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. He cared for them because he loved them, just like he loves you. ” Point out any parts of the mass that reinforce the story of Easter. For example, at a Maundy Thursday service, the priest will often wash the feet of parishioners. You might say, “The priest is celebrating Jesus by doing the things that he did. Remember how we read that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet?”
Some churches hold special masses around Easter and Christmas that are specifically geared towards children. These masses may tell the Easter story using puppets or have very simplified homilies that make Jesus’ life easier to grasp.
“What is Easter” by Michelle Medlock Adams is a book for children under 5 that makes use of illustrations to explain the story of Jesus. If your kids like the Berenstain Bears books, pick up a copy of “The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story” by Mike Berenstain. In the story, Papa Bear explains the story of Easter. You can order books online or look for a local Christian bookstore, if your normal bookstore doesn’t carry them.
You might say, “You know how Jesus loved us so much he gave his life for us? Let’s help other people feel special and cared for in the spirit of Jesus. ” Your kids can write out lines of scripture on little pieces of paper and place them in plastic Easter eggs. Putting a children’s book about the meaning of Easter in the basket is a great way to share the religious joy of Easter with others.
Suggest your child use color as a way to express emotions about Easter. An egg painted black could symbolize sadness at Jesus’ death, while happy, brightly colored eggs could symbolize joy at his resurrection.
When you give the gift, you might say, “Did you notice that this stuffed chick is just a baby? Jesus died so we could have a new life with God. I hope that when you squeeze this new little chick you think about the new beginning Jesus gave us. ”
To keep your kids engaged, perhaps reward them with a treat or sticker for every item they collect or every question they can answer correctly about Easter. Even though the scavenger items are not candy, try to make the spirit light and keep things fun.
If your child is too young to understand death, you might say, “Jesus was punished even though he did nothing wrong, which was very sad. He put up with the punishment because he loved us. But the good news is, after his punishment he got to be with God, just like we will get to be with God some day. ” For children over 5, you might opt for something direct but simple: “Jesus did die, and it was very sad. But it’s okay because he came back to life. " Then, talk over the details of the resurrection story.
While there’s no need for your child to suppress their emotions, it’s okay to keep things positive. You might say, “It’s okay to be sad, but remember that Jesus died so we don’t have to deal with this kind of pain alone. God loves us and is always with us. " Alternatively you could say, “When I feel overwhelmed reading about the story of Easter, I remember how much hope and joy there is in the story. Can you imagine how elated Mary was to find out her son was resurrected and with God?”
Keep your children engaged and interested in the meaning behind Easter by looking towards the future. You might say, “I loved teaching you more about the story of Jesus this year. How should we celebrate him on Easter next year?”
