make your own

Easter Treasure Box
* Find a hinged box from Dollarama.  Paint it as the Easter Treasure Box, to be kept from year to year

~ to celebrate the real reason for the season ~
These symbols are used to tell the story of the Christian Easter celebration.    Into the Treasure Box place the item and scripture reference written on a small piece of paper.

Symbol #1:
Message -- Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.
Passage -- Matthew 21:1-11
Item -- Piece of palm branch or a little one made of green construction paper. Another option for those of you wiht extra lego parts or plastic novelty beads would be to place a small plastic leaf

Symbol #2:
Message -- Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.
Passage -- John 12:2-8
Item -- Small perfume sample or cloth with perfume or a piece of cotton with cologne on it

Symbol #3:
Message -- Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples.
Passage -- Matthew 26:17-19
Item – a piece of Chex cereal; or take clay and make a small bread-like shape

Symbol #4:
Message -- Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
Passage -- Matthew 27:3
Item -- 3 dimes or plastic “silver” money

Symbol #5:
Message -- Jesus carried His own cross.
Passage -- John 19:17
Item – toothpicks or Popsicle stick cut and glued in a cross form; or, a small plastic cross from a Christmas ornament or necklace.

Symbol #6:
Message -- Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.
Passage -- John 19:2
Item -- Small thorny branch, or a large thorn all by itself.

Symbol #7:
Message -- Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.
Passage -- John 19:23
Item -- Swatch of burlap and a nail. I’ve also seen miniature dice used for this one.

Symbol #8:
Message -- Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.
Passage -- John 19:18,37 & John 20:25-29
Item -- A nail

Symbol #9:
Message -- They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.
Passage -- Matthew 27:34
Item -- A small sponge

Symbol #10:
Message -- Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.
Passage -- John 19:40
Item -- 7 or 8 whole cloves, or other whole spices

Symbol #11:
Message -- The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.
Passage -- John 20:1
Item -- A small rock

Symbol #12:
Message -- The napkin around Jesus' head was lying separately from His linen clothers. He was not there. He has risen!
Passage -- John 20:6-7
Item -- A scrap of linen-type fabric

Optional Symbols:
a "toy soldier" or picture of a soldier to symbolize the soldier who arrested Jesus.
a "feather" to symbolize the cock rooster that crowed 3 times.

Note:These can be done slightly different, or using slightly different items. If you have to substitute and use different items, that’s OK. The point is to get the story across from the point that Jesus rides into Jerusalem riding on a donkey (now celebrated as Palm Sunday) to when it is discovered that is no longer in his tomb but has Risen (Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Day).

Benjamin's Box by Melody Carlson is the idea source for the Treasure Box.  A delightful book ~ very well illustrated.  "A young boy follows Jesus through Jerusalem, collecting mementos to share with others and to remind him of Jesus's teachings."

JESUS IN THE TOMB - SUNDAY
Easy Resurrection Rolls
Jesus promised that He would rise from the dead on the third day.   He rose on the third day.

Supplies:
Crescent rolls, marshmallows, cinnamon, margarine

Directions:
Take one marshmallow and dip it in melted butter or margarine. Then roll the marshmallow in cinnamon. Have the children place the marshmallow in the center of the triangle of dough. Have them fold the dough around the marshmallow, so that the Marshmallow is "buried" in its tomb. Bake the crescent roll according to the directions on the package. Have the children take the role of the guards at Jesus tomb. Have them stand guard at the oven. Take the roll out of the tomb (oven) and let it cool. The marshmallow will be gone; just like Jesus body was gone!