4.08.2009

Easter Musings

"If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets, and shut it in a tomb, but it will rise!" ~Clarence W. Hall

I am doing Sharing Time this Sunday, and because it is Easter Sunday, I have been thinking hard about how to present the Easter message to the children. In many ways, it's a hard story to contemplate. I remember as a child really wondering how people could treat Jesus the way they did. It was hard for me to understand that what happened had to happen, that Jesus knew it and was willing to do what it took -- for us. Just for us.

With all those feelings running through my mind, the bottom line is that I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. For Him, for His courage, His willingness, and the incomparable, transcendent gift He gave each of us by paying the ultimate price.

Truth may have gone into the grave, but how thankful I am that it didn't stay there.

[picture by Del Parson]

10 comments:

Maren said...

Look up the Easter lesson from the Nursery book. I cut out 5 of the tomb, stone, and Christ pictures, and told the story of how He was resurrected, and we went around, so that each of them re-told the story (4 times plus my original telling). By the end of the night, even 2.5 y/o Ella was saying Resurrected! Then they got to color the tomb etc. They liked it a lot! I linked to the lesson in my 10 for Tues. post.

Whichever you decide to present, I know will be very well received! Good Luck Jan! :)

hoLLy said...

thank you for those easter thoughts jan. last night we did our easter FHE. we did the resurrection eggs(i'll probably blog about it soon:) and i explained with each egg the days before and of Christ's death and resurrection. it was so hard for me, explaining such horrible things to the children and they asked the questions "why?" a lot. i got very emotional last night, to say the least! its so hard to explain to children and for me to even fathom the love Christ has for us. he could have stopped it all but he didn't. i love Him with all of my heart!

Mia said...

I love your thoughts Jan. You have such a great way with words. I think with the tender hearts that kids have the story is very personal and emotional, but I think it helps them understand Christ's love for them as well.

Ashley said...

oh, how i love that quote and your thoughts.

Carrie and Nathan said...

Jan! You blow my mind lady! I've had the Easter story on my mind all week, too. I would like to be able to tell the story to my kids again this year and maybe make it more memorable for them. Thanks for this post and I'm excited to see if more share their ideas!

BrookieT said...

Gratitude to the Lord and Heavely Father is one of the most valuable things to Him, I believe. Next to our submission to His will, which the Savior did. It is truly humbling when pondering and trying to fathom the great love they have for us.

Natalie Scott said...

Easter is such a wonderful time of year, and your sharing time will be amazing. It always is!

Jennifer said...

Thanks for that quote. I wish I had some great idea, but I don't. I am sure you will do a good job with sharing time.

Unknown said...

i looooove easter so very much! and i love that quote! thanks.

SweetmamaK said...

Thanks for your well said words! I love this season. In our primary the presidency was all gone, so the music leader and the secretary did sharing time and music. The kids were all hyped up on candy and we had twice as many as normal, but I did feel the tender spirit as they retold the glory of His ressurection and how glad His friends were to have him again. I feel that the kids got that even if the rest was hard to contemplate. Since only one teacher was there I took the Senior Primary boys and taught them from the sunbeam manual that was lying around. It was a wonderful lesson and I was overwhelmed thinking how the simple message was precious enough for three year olds and even complex enough for 9-12 year olds.