Celebrating Easter

See what a morning, gloriously bright

With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;

Folded the grave-clothes

Tomb filled with light,

As the angels announce Christ is risen!

See God's salvation plan, wrought in love,

Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,

Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for He lives,

Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping: 'Where is He laid?

As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;

Hears a voice speaking, calling her name:

It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!

The voice that spans the years,

Speaking life, stirring hope,

Bringing peace to us,

Will sound till He appears,

For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,

Through the Spirit

Who clothes faith with certainty,

Honour and blessing, glory and praise

To the King crowned

With power and authority!

And we are raised with Him,

Death is dead, love has won

Christ has conquered;

And we shall reign with Him,

For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!

I just love this resurrection hymn by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. When the music starts no matter what time of the year it is my heart jumps a little. It is rousing and pleasing to the ears and particularly at Easter it is a song of triumph as we celebrate our risen Saviour who conquered death.

This Easter weekend was a little different to the past years as for the first time Mr Faithful, being now self employed, had to work the bank holidays. It was a little sad to have him away from us at a time where we have normally all been together. On Good Friday I had a crafty morning with he boys as we made Easter cards for the grandparents.

They looked very cute and the boys had fun chalking the butterflies and with the help of my Sizzix machine all the shapes were easy to cut out.

We then made some Easter baskets and made a simnel cake (Mary Berry style). 

Saturday was spent with family as we visited relatives and Sunday like wise was spent with the other half's family. I had cooked a roast leg of lamb, lemon infused spring vegetables, roasted carrots and parsnips and a potato layer bake to serve along side. When I got back from Church on Sunday the house smelt delicious. I prepared the house with hidden plastic eggs and inside each one I placed a mini chocolate egg and a clue leading to the next one. There were 20 hidden eggs in all (10 each for Mr Social and Mr Cheeky). Afterwards Mr Social was to declare that he really enjoyed the egg hunt. My plastic eggs were a good purchase and have been used for many things but my favourite use would be as resurrection eggs.

Within these 12 eggs lie 11 emblems and verses that take us through the story of Jesus coming to Jerusalem and His death on the cross and His resurrection. 11 I hear you say...yes I typed that right. I know there are 12 eggs bit go on, have a guess what is in the 12th egg....do I have to tell you or have you clever people guessed already? Inside that last egg is...nothing! That's right...why...because Christ is Risen! I want to shout that from a rooftop right now, even if I would get strange looks but it is true. My faith isn't based on a story told long ago, it isn't based on a dead prophet or king. I do not worship idols of stone or gold or other mythical beings. My faith is based on Jesus Christ who was crucified for the sins of many, yet innocent He was, His blood was shed for me and my faith is based on Jesus Christ who on the third day rose again, left the tomb and walked amongst people again before ascending to heaven to prepare a seat in heaven for those who were to believe. That 12th egg is empty to show that the tomb was empty. 

Inside the other eggs are leaves (palm leaves), a donkey, bread (the last supper), money (the betrayal), a flower (garden of Gethsemane), rope (the arrest), crown of thorns, a cross, sponge soaked in vinegar, spices and cloth (burial), and a stone. Other options to put in include dice (casting lots on Jesus' robes), praying hands (Garden of Gethsemane), a little cup (last supper), and nails (crucifixion). I made my own set but I believe you can purchase them pre-filled with verses as well. These may just be for the American customers though as when I searched for them a few years ago they were not available here in the UK. They are relatively inexpensive to make your own set and I have found many uses for the plastic eggs for the boys education for other times of the year.

Easter this year was a joyful time of remembrance. Christ is risen, He is risen indeed. Oh sing hallelujah!