Hunting for Easter eggs can be fun, and yes, we hid eggs for our kids to find when they were young. Where did this idea come from? I learned a lot when I started looking into this tradition!

“Easter eggs were used by early Christians to symbolize parts of the Easter story: eggs represent the empty tomb from which Jesus resurrected. In early Orthodox churches, Easter eggs were blessed by the priests and distributed to the congregants on the Saturday before Easter known as Holy Saturday. During the service, Easter eggs were handed out to symbolize Jesus’ resurrection: The hard shell represents the sealed tomb and the cracking of the egg represents Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

… Early Christian missionaries hid Easter eggs painted with biblical scenes for children to find. The children would find the Easter eggs and tell the story associated with the paintings. Therefore, early Easter egg hunts helped children learn about the significance of Easter.

One of the earliest Easter egg hunts that most resembles the modern Easter egg hunt can be traced to Martin Luther. During this time, men would hide eggs for women and children to find. The joy the women and children experienced as they found eggs mirrored the joy the women felt when they found Jesus’ tomb empty and realized He had risen. .Just like early Easter egg hunts, we hide eggs for children to find. Now, we may hide special goodies inside each egg. Therefore, when children open the Easter eggs to find their surprise inside, they experience happiness and joy—representing the happiness and joy Jesus’ followers experienced when they heard the Good News of His resurrection” (chaseoaks.org)

As I started to read about this tradition, I realized that we haven’t honored the tradition in it’s orginial, intended purpose. As we BOOK TIME WITH OUR KIDS, we need to be intentional and teach our littles, from the start, about the holiness of the Easter season. So, I’ve been ON THE HUNT for some children’s books that we can use that tell the story of JESUS, the real Easter story.

A children’s book that I just received that teaches the symbolic meaning of the Easter egg to children is An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus, by Susan Jones. It simply explains the meaning of Easter, with an empty Easter egg symbolizing an empty tomb – and the risen Christ!

I also just received what I think may be my favorite Easter book yet for children: EASTER is Coming! by Tama Fortner: “It’s designed to be read and reread on the days leading up to Easter, telling the greatest story and building a sense of anticipation and celebration in little hearts.” This book teaches the story of Jesus from beginning to completion- creation to resurrection- in beautfully simple words and with anticipation.

Yes, we can hunt for Easter eggs, we can plan traditional, spring-like family activities, but let’s also be sure to honor the Lord in this holy season. Let’s point out buds of new life on the trees and plants and point to the Creator. Let’s make time to pray and worship together as a family. And let’s hunt for books and stories (the Bible itself!) that we can share with our littles…..pointing them to the Savior who gave us the greatest gift in all of “HIStory”!

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