When I was a young mom, I was part of a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group at our church. This was a great chance to meet with moms, share stories of motherhood, learn practical tips, and to be with adults for a couple of hours. Occasionally, we would make something together. I’ve never been very good at crafts and I use any spare time to write, but if someone provides me with instructions and materials, even I can cobble something together.
A few weeks before Easter, the MOPS crew organized an Easter craft for us to make to share with our kids. All the moms got an empty egg carton to decorate with craft paper, ribbons and stickers. We also got twelve plastic eggs to fit inside. We used a marker to write numbers 1 to 12 on the eggs and there was a little card which told what each egg symbolized along with a Bible verse. Then, we had a tiny symbol to put inside each egg. Number one is a colt because Jesus rode a colt into Jerusalem. Number two held a few coins because Jesus was betrayed by Judas for 30 silver coins. There is a little cup, a picture of praying hands, a leather whip, a thorn, a nail, dice, a spear, linen and a stone.
I am so thankful for this little homemade craft. Even though my kids are now 14 and 11, I will share it with them again this year. There is something about opening the eggs and touching the symbols that helps us step into the story, to spend time with Jesus.
The twelfth egg is empty because the tomb is empty. Christ has risen. He has risen indeed.