Lo, the Eastertide is here, Alleluia! — from "Lo, the Day of Days Is Here," Hymn 269 in Singing the Living Tradition

IN TODAY'S SESSION... we celebrated Easter and spring with eggs and baskets. Easter's significance for our young children is its joy and hope, the arrival of new life in the springtime. The children heard a story about Jesus as a beloved teacher, then made baskets to hold plastic Easter eggs.

EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Share together... the books suggested for this session:

The Easter Egg by Jan Brett, 2010. If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs on Easter morning. But it is not so easy.
Happy Easter, Corduroy! by Don Freeman and Lisa McCue, 2010 (board book). After Corduroy decorates eggs, he invites his friends over for an Easter egg hunt. Then they all have a picnic pet some baby lambs.
Meet Jesus: The Life and Lessons of a Beloved Teacher by Lyn Tuttle Gunney, illustrated by Jane Conteh-Morgan, 2008. This picture book written by a Unitarian Universalist introduces young children (ages 4-8) to Jesus and his lessons of love, kindness, forgiveness, and peace.
How Many Jelly Beans? by Andrea Menotti and Yancey Labat, 2012. Count and pretend to eat them!

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Try... hosting a Can Hunt instead of an Egg Hunt. Hide cans of healthy food for your local food bank and invite the children to find them. The enjoyment is in the seeking! Go together to make your donation.

A Family Adventure. Visit a local Christian church to view Easter decor and illustrated, stained glass windows. An Episcopalian church near you may be decorated with lilies and banners. Call first and ask when you may visit.

A Family Discovery. Read "Bunnies, eggs, and resurrection" by Michelle Richards, posted on the UU Parenting blogsite April 18, 2011.

Try a springtime activity with your child at this time of year. The Nick Jr. website describes how to make pinwheels and Peter Rabbit egg holders. Illustrator Jan Brett provides directions for making a "happy spring coloring placemat."

A Family Game. Sing the Chalice Children song "It Isn't Any Trouble" giving everyone a plastic Easter egg as a prop. When the word "smile" is sung, hold the halves of your egg to your two cheeks, and smile. Sung to the tune of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic:"

It isn't any trouble just to s-m-i-l-e.

So smile when you're in trouble.

It will vanish like a bubble,

If you only take the trouble just to s-m-i-l-e.

A Family Ritual. Place an egg in your child's basket next to your chalice as a table centerpiece.