Most holidays have a pretty straightforward and background. Fourth of July is our country’s independence day. Thanksgiving was the Pilgrims’ big dinner. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. But on holidays like Easter that involves touchy topics like death, you may be a little apprehensive about how to approach it. Sure you can just sugar coat it with bunnies and colored eggs, but if it is an occasion that you want them to truly celebrate and appreciate then you need to give them the real 411. You don’t have to sit them down in front of The Passion, but you do have to give them the essential facts. It may be a little uncomfortable at first, but it’s not that bad once you get into it. It is, after all, a day of hope and joy in the end.
You may want to start with some educational material. There are many Easter books and videos you can use as a starting point for sharing Easter faith with your children. Preview the books and videos first to make sure they age-appropriate and line up with your beliefs. After going over this new information your children may have some tough questions like “Why did Jesus have to die?” and “Why didn’t God help him?” Answer as best as you can. Admit that you don’t understand it all yourself, but explain as best you can. When my five year old and I first read a children’s book about the resurrection, his eyes got as wide as saucers when we got to the part about the cross. He had been learning about Jesus in Sunday school and asked me, “Jesus died!??”. He seemed a little upset and shaken, but once we got to the resurrection he was happy and at peace with the whole thing.
Keep your focus on joy and the positive points of the story. They don’t need to know it all by kindergarten. Just enough to help them convey respect and observance for the holiday and understand your family’s faith.
