I buy the egg coloring kits (which I haven't bought yet)...and we color them. Just like it says on the package. Not a lot of creativity here.
Easter "dinner" is a pot-luck that my mom normally pulls off (what would we do without my mom?!). That we eat at some point mid-afternoon. Between church services. On paper plates.
We normally get home around 10pm the night before Easter. I get our kiddos to bed and then arrange their Easter baskets. That they will open with my mom. While I'm at church the next morning.
It may sound like I'm complaining. I'm not. It's just that this holiday (like many others) is one that requests that our time, emotions, efforts and energy be directed at church.
We participate in our church's Easter production, The Thorn.
The Thorn from Thorn Productions on Vimeo.
This year we will be doing 11 shows. We've participated in it since before we were married. Brad sings (of course) and is participating more and more in the production and ministry aspects. I have done everything from the role of Mary to stage crew to make up to singing in the choir. It is an amazing way our church tells the story of what Jesus did for us. Thousands of people come and watch. Our prayer is that, through this "play", we can show how He loves us. We watch as Jesus performs miracles and plays with little kids. Then we watch as He is betrayed and murdered. Then we watch as He comes out of the tomb! I cry. every. single. time.
As our kids are growing, this is becoming their ministry as well. They go to all the rehearsals with Daddy (while i stay home with the littles). They count down the days to the first performance. They make new friends. They learn more about the story of Jesus (even though there is a portion of the show that they've never seen because it isn't age appropriate). They learn more about their identity and what specific gifts God has given them.
We head into 3 services Easter morning, well, tired. But so full and excited for all that God has done. In us, and in other people. It is a morning of true celebration. We don't celebrate about some fable or story that happened thousands of years ago. We celebrate because we have found Life. And we have helped other people find It, too.
I LOVE Easter season. Are we tired? Yes. Are we a bit overwhelmed? Sometimes. Are there times I wish I could stay home and do fun Easter crafts? Definitely. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
My prayer is that my kids would continue to love Easter like their Daddy and I do. For the true reason of the season. Jesus!
I completely understand.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a worship leader and many years we are at Church serving (when a small part of me wishes that we could just stay home and hunt around for Easter eggs, like we did as kids growing up)
Hope that's ok to admit ;)
The Thorn looks AMAZING! WOW!WOW!WOW!
Your kids are so blessed to be right in the middle of it all. What an awesome place for them to be.
I wish we loved closer, so that we could go!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I am enjoying nosing around yours as well. Your church sounds like ours during this season. While I would like to be involved in our production at some point, I just can't do it right now. Is your hubs a worship pastor.
ReplyDeleteAlison