5 Unique Easter Traditions to Incorporate in Your Family’s Celebration This Year

1. Stage an Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt

Easter egg hunts are everywhere. Some big churches get helicopters and drop thousands of plastic eggs from the sky. Kids race out to gather the colored eggs to get candy or other prizes.

Your family can infuse new meaning this Easter through a unique tradition: an Easter egg scavenger hunt. Like a scavenger hunt, there would be clues and prizes throughout the house or the church, but you could use questions to answer based on the Easter story. This interactive and educational activity will engage both children and adults.

To begin, you can prepare a series of clues or riddles that lead kids and adults on a journey through the Easter story. Each clue can correspond to a specific event or theme, such as Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, or the empty tomb. For example, a clue for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem might lead people to find a palm branch hidden in the yard or house.

As participants follow the clues, they will also uncover Easter eggs hidden. Inside each egg, you can place a small item or note related to the corresponding part of the Easter story and some candy or other prizes. Throughout the scavenger hunt, you can pause at each clue to read relevant passages from the Bible, allowing participants to connect the Easter story’s events with their own experiences.

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2. Host a Easter Brunch Potluck

Many families have a family dinner on Easter Sunday, a time of celebration and feasting. But what if we used this time as a more communal opportunity? 

You can bring more meaning into Easter by organizing an Easter brunch potluck inspired by Jesus’ teachings on hospitality and inclusivity. In Luke 14:12-14, Jesus advises his followers to throw parties and invite “the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind,” emphasizing the importance of caring for the marginalized and less fortunate.

To incorporate this biblical principle into your Easter celebration, you can extend invitations to members of our community who may be struggling or need companionship. Whether it’s inviting neighbors, friends from church, or individuals from local shelters, everyone will be welcomed with open arms, fostering a sense of belonging and love. You could do this on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the best time. 

As for the potluck itself, you can incorporate Easter themes by encouraging participants to bring dishes that reflect elements of the Easter story. For example, someone could bring a lamb dish to remember the Passover lamb sacrificed in the Old Testament, symbolizing Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb. 

Additionally, people can offer symbolic decorations such as crosses, Easter lilies, or a crown of thorns centerpiece. Throughout the brunch, this community engages in meaningful conversation about the biblical Easter narrative, sharing reflections and insights on the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and new life found in Christ.

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3. Plant a Resurrection Garden

Your family can embark on a creative and long-lasting tradition this Easter by planting a resurrection garden, symbolizing the journey from the Garden of Eden to Gethsemane to the garden where Jesus was witnessed after he rose again. This hands-on activity offers a tangible way to explore the biblical themes of redemption, new life, and hope.

To create a resurrection garden, you start by selecting a suitable location, whether it’s a backyard corner, a balcony, or a tabletop container. You’ll need a shallow container or planter filled with soil, symbolizing the earth from which life springs forth. 

Next, gather materials to represent key elements of the Easter story. Small rocks or pebbles can be arranged to create a path leading to an empty tomb, symbolizing Jesus’ resurrection. You can add crosses and other symbols of faith. In addition, the family can incorporate living plants to represent the new life that emerges from death. Sprouts of grass or wheatgrass can symbolize the resurrection power of Jesus. At the same time, flowers such as lilies, often associated with Easter, can add color and beauty to the garden.

Throughout the process, you can discuss the biblical significance of each element and how it relates to the Easter story. We can reflect on the Garden of Eden as the place of humanity’s fall and the garden where Jesus was witnessed after his resurrection as a symbol of new beginnings and redemption.

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4. Hold an Easter Story Time

Many families sit down on Christmas Eve while someone reads the Nativity story. Easter is an excellent opportunity to do something similar. 

Introduce a new cherished tradition by hosting an Easter story time during a dinner gathering. Since Easter occurred at Passover, this also mirrors the Jewish tradition of reading the Passover story during that major meal. 

First, designate a matriarch or patriarch of the family to read the Easter story from the Bible aloud. This individual can begin by setting the scene, providing context for the events leading up to Easter Sunday. They can then read passages from the Gospels that recount Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his arrest, crucifixion, and glorious resurrection.

As the Easter story is read, family members can follow along in their Bibles or listen attentively, engaging with the narrative and reflecting on its profound meaning. This shared experience creates a sense of unity and connection as you journey together through the biblical account of Easter.

In addition to reading the Easter story, encourage family members to share their thoughts, insights, and personal reflections on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. This open dialogue enriches our understanding of the Easter story and deepens our faith as we celebrate this sacred occasion.

By incorporating an Easter story time, you honor the biblical roots of both Passover and Easter while creating a meaningful and memorable tradition that strengthens your bonds as a family and nurtures our spiritual growth.

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5. Hold an Easter Movie Marathon

With the growing popularity of The Chosen, more people are open to watching movies about the life of Jesus. Movies combine visual and audio to the story, making it a powerful event when done right. 

Begin a memorable tradition by hosting an Easter movie night centered around a film about Jesus. You can invite friends and make a night out of it. This unique celebration provides an opportunity to come together and reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection. 

To begin with, you need to choose the movie. One option is The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson, which offers a brutal and intense portrayal of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. This movie might be too graphic for young children, but it is still a great movie. 

A classic choice is Jesus of Nazareth, a miniseries directed by Franco Zeffirelli, which provides a comprehensive and reverent portrayal of Jesus’ life, from his birth to his resurrection. This epic production features a stellar cast and meticulous attention to historical detail, making it a compelling and educational experience. 

One of my favorites is The Gospel of John, directed by Philip Saville, who faithfully dramatizes the Gospel of John, using the words of the gospel with dramatization and great performances. 

Gather around the TV, have appropriate snacks, and watch the film. Afterward, ask open-ended questions to engage participants. Have them reflect and share their thoughts.

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How Do We Pick Our Easter Tradition?

These are only a few suggestions, from hands-on to event-based options. Take into account what your family enjoys doing. What are their talents?

These events can also be an amazing opportunity to get to know family and friends. Make it a point to give others ownership as much as possible. You’ll be amazed at what your kids or others will come up with and contribute. While it may not be comfortable at first, don’t skip times to ask open-ended questions and have discussions around Easter. God uses those times to teach everyone, old and young alike. 

Let these ideas kickstart some of your own. Be creative and do something new this Easter, connecting interesting celebrations with the eternal, redemptive story of Jesus. 

Peace.

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