OT: Easter Story Cookies

This is so neat...I had to share it. Making cookies with your children to teach the true meaning of EASTER! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You Need: Help & permission from Parents! 1- cup whole pecans 1-teaspoon vinegar 3 egg whites pinch of salt 1-cup sugar zipper baggie wooden spoon tape Bible EASTER COOKIES Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe) 1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3 2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and he became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30 3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life. Read John 10:10-11 4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27 5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story ids that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16 6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in god's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3 7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest. Read Matt. 27:57-60 8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. 9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66 10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22 11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER Jesus followers were amazed to find His tomb empty. Read Matt. 28: 1-9

Rhonda, These are the neatest cookies, I did this with my kids at church many years ago, as I have no kids of my own. We made the cookies at the church and so when we got there the next morning, they got the conclusion to the story, and we all had a treat during Sunday school. Alot of the kids took cookies home and told the story to mom and dad and showed them the "empty tomb." Thanks for sharing the recipe, it reminds me of great memories of days gone by. Have a Happy Easter, may we all keep the real meaning alive. Rhonda