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DIY Resurrection Eggs

How to make your own set of 18 resurrection eggs. How to use the 12 resurrection eggs to tell the Easter story and the 6 additional eggs teaching how to continue growing in Jesus. SmellingCoffee.com


One of my favorite Easter activities to use with children (and even with adults!) are Resurrection Eggs. The kids and I made our first set over 20 years ago and I’ve used them every year since. These DIY Resurrection Eggs can be as elaborate or as simple as needed, and are always a special way to tell the Easter story.

Why use Resurrection Eggs

Sometimes we can know a Bible story so well that we tend to forget the details that once inspired us to awe. Because Resurrection Eggs break the Easter story into small portions for each egg, twelve specific truths are highlighted and illustrated. Plus, it’s just a fun way to share the Resurrection story!

How to use Resurrection Eggs

We mainly used these Resurrection Eggs in our home as “toys” for games and quiet times. Some days I would hide the eggs in the yard or house, then when all were collected, we would put them in order and take turns opening the eggs to tell the story. One year the Resurrection Eggs became our Easter Advent calendar as we opened one of the first 12 eggs each day leading to Easter and opened the last 6 eggs the days after the holiday. We have lots of memories attached to our humble little homemade Resurrection Egg set…

I have also used these eggs in Sunday school lessons and devotionals with ADULTS! Because it’s something different, Resurrection Eggs are a unique way to slow down and focus on the details we tend to miss when we are rushing through the story in our lessons because we assume it is so familiar to everyone listening.

Not gonna lie… I let some dear children play with the eggs last year and I just tossed them back into the box… but I’ll enjoy going through them and getting them put back together for this year. ;-).

(See… I told you they were OLD! haha)



This Easter, since we are now an empty-nesting house, we will be opening the eggs once everyone is home and around our dinner table. I’ll have the Resurrection Eggs tucked within the tablescape, and during the meal we will take turns sharing the Gospel story. (And maybe by this time next year, our grand baby will be old enough for us to do something with them!!!)


Want to make your own set?

How to make your own set of 18 resurrection eggs. How to use the 12 resurrection eggs to tell the Easter story and the 6 additional eggs teaching how to continue growing in Jesus. SmellingCoffee.com

What you’ll need:
* 12 or 18 empty plastic eggs and a carton in which they will fit (or a box or basket, etc.)
* Printed copy of the free PDF & scissors
* Small items for each egg (see download below).
* Marker or paint pen

Directions:

  1. Download the free PDF of the Easter Story for Resurrection Eggs taken straight from the Biblical books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
  2. Print and cut apart the Scriptures and stories.
  3. Using a marker or paint pen, number the empty eggs 1-12 or 1-18. {The 13th-18th eggs continue the Easter story and teach how to grow in a relationship with Jesus and are great to use as an Easter follow-up.}
  4. Gather something {small enough to fit in the egg} that represents each specific event. Be as simple or elaborate as you desire.

    If you have young children at home, let them help you find each item around the house. If you can’t find a specific item, draw or print a picture of it. We’ve used various items for each egg, since the contents often get lost in use. If you are blessed to live near a hobby or craft store, check the “miniature” section for ideas.  Ask God for creativity and enjoy sharing this Truth of Easter with those around you in this fun and unique way.
  5. Enjoy sharing the Truth of Easter with those around you.

Click here for the downloadable PDF DIY Resurrection Eggs

PS: The first 12 are the “regular Resurrection Eggs” – and the last 6 are of how we can apply this resurrection Truth to our daily lives – especially good to use with older children and adults.

** The downloadable PDF is strictly Scripture. For the littlest ones you might want to paraphrase if some of the passages are too long.  For the older ones, they could even read the passages from their own Bibles.  Just a thought.

May you be blessed as you focus on each of the 18 parts of the beautiful story of Easter and beyond!

PS: You might also like these posts:

‘Twas the Week Before Christmas

Many many years ago a new “Night Before Christmas” poem circulated through emails (this was before blogs, Facebook, and Instagram came upon the scene – can we even remember way back then???).  That poem made a wonderful point about the busyness we face during Christmas time and the truth that it is often those same “Christmas” activities that drown out God’s call to keep Christmas focused on Jesus.  No one knows who originally wrote the poem, but it has always stirred something within me.  Over the years, the Lord has given me some adaptations to make to it applicable according to my own personal convictions, and He continues to use it in my life. Here is my updated 2022 version:


‘Twas the Week Before Christmas

T’was the week Before Christmas and all through the town

Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found.

The people were all busy with Christmas-time chores

Like last minute baking and shopping in stores

No “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.”

Instead, songs of Santa dressed up in bright red.

Mama watched Hallmark and shopped Amazon.

While Papa bemoaned how fast the year’d gone.

When what from the TV did suddenly appear?

A Best Buy add for their sale-of-the-year.

So away to the strip mall they flew like a flash

Buying some things on credit, and others with cash!

To pray to the Savior, they had no time to stop,

Because they shopped and to ate ’till they popped!”

On Wal-Mart! On Marshalls! On Home Goods! On Target!

On Dillards! On Khols! And on to Fresh Market!

From holiday movies, to lighted displays,

To picking up take-out, they would all dash away.

While at home in the den, there arose such a clatter

As kids fought over the XBox, it fell and it shattered.

Their lives were so stress-filled with Christmastime things.

They forgot about Jesus, The Savior, The King.

Once a tiny baby, in a manger He lay.

And grew up a man, as the Only WAY

for Salvation, Redemption, the forgiveness of sin,

Restoring us to God, a new life to begin.

Christ’s eyes… how they twinkle!

Christ’s Spirit… how merry!

Christ’s love… how enormous!

All our burdens… He’ll carry!

So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight,

Repent and seek Jesus, He’ll make your life right.

Your trouble and stresses may not go away,

But Jesus brings Peace to each heart that will stay

Focused on Him and His love for each man,

As seen in His gracious and Eternal plan.


Original author of the poem is unknown.
Adaptations were made over the yeas by Jennifer Walker.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,

and he will give you everything you need.”

Mat. 6:33 (NLT)


The poem was intended to end a blog post written in 2013.  However, as I was typing those last lines, a “this is my life now” version of the poem popped in my head.  I shared it at the end of the original post and went on to explain how the 2013 version came to be. I found it again this year as I was scrolling for something entirely different… yet God, once again, used it to convict and challenge me in the midst of this 2022’s busyness.

At the time the below was written, we had a sophomore and a junior in High School, both of whom were involved in school sports, extracurricular activities, and church groups. I was serving as Women’s Ministry director at our church, teaching Sunday School and Bible studies, working part-time for a realty rental company, and tutoring students in our home while James was working full time in church ministry and also taking classes in a doctoral program. Life was busy, to say the least.

It was just three more days until our first of several family gatherings would take place in our home, two more days until the teacher gifts needed to be finished and delivered, and four more days until the church gifts need to be finished and given.  The house was a mess.  On top of that, I never fully completed decorating my porch that Christmas. There were still remnants of fall holding their own next to the red and greenery…  Ugggg….  I had been SO WAY AHEAD… then life happened, throwing me into continual catch-up mode…

But it was these next sentences of that original 2013 post that still floor me today: 

The one thing I have done right, by God’s grace alone, is that He has helped me come when He has called me, and I’ve sought and found Jesus during this Christmas season.

And He has been teaching me that eventually, one way or another, those gifts will be finished and be delivered to their recipients, meals will be prepared, the house will be cleaned up, and my porch will survive the war between simultaneous fall and Christmas decor.  Those things will happen, in time, as the Lord helps me – even if it’s down to the last minute.  

But those things aren’t the most important things about Christmas.  HE is.  The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace is teaching me to focus on the promise that if I will seek Him first, and set my heart upon His advent, the other things of “Christmas” will either fall into place or fall off the list.


In the midst of all of the craziness… somehow… God had helped me keep my heart centered on Him and His Wonder. I’m wondering if anyone else is in the same situation I was in back then… {and I’m kind of in right now, though the circumstances are different}?   If so I offer to you, fresh from my {9 years ago} mind and heart, my 2013 Real-Life version of “The Night /Week Before Christmas.”

The 2013 This is My Life One Week Before Christmas Version

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through this house, 
I’m stirring and hurrying like a wild little mouse…
The coffee is brewing, the tree lights are on.
I’m answering emails on computer and phone.

I thought in the fall that I’d be way ahead,
that gifts would be wrapped and stored under the bed.
But life rarely looks like it does in my dreams
And I’m always late and behind, so it seems.

So now here we are, with seven days till
the shopping and wrapping must stop and stand still.
What to do next? On which list should I start?
I’ve been meeting with Jesus, preparing my heart.

And as for the rest… He’s teaching me to say
if nothing looks perfect, it’s really OK.
With the help of the Lord, I’ll do what I can
and leave the rest of “Christmas” in His capable Hand.

To cherish this moment, to  embrace each new day,
to trust in the Lord and not question His way,
Is as sugar and cream to a black cup of joe –
The aroma of Jesus wherever I go.

Jennifer Crawford Walker   Dec. 17, 2013

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.
Don’t worry about missing out.
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Matthew 6:33, MSG

May the Lord use these words to encourage you – and maybe challenge you this week – and remind you of the fact that Seeking and finding Jesus, and helping others in our lives to seek and find Him… If we could accomplish just this, then Christmas will be an eternal success.  

Much love to you all~

Celebrating Epiphany – the How-to and Why

Did you know that the 12th Day of Christmas is really January 6th? It's the Day of Epiphany, where we celebrate "Seeking" the Lord.

Happy New Year, my friends, and a blessed weekend and January 6th – Day of Epiphany -to you.

Do you celebrate Epiphany? It’s only been in the last several years that I am learning the beauty and importance of this special observance. Though I’m certainly no expert, I would love to pass along some of what I’ve learned so far.

Did you know that the traditional 12 days of Christmas are not the 12 days leading up to Christmas, but the 12 days afterward?  In most of the Western church culture, the 12 days of Christmas begin either on Christmas night (Dec. 25) or the next morning (Dec. 26) and extend through January 6th, which is known as Epiphany, or the Feast of the Three Kings. 

January 6th is also known as the Twelfth Day, and some families have an additional gathering including sharing sweets and gifts on this occasion. Fun!

January 6 is also the day that many families finally take down their Christmas decorations. (So if you feel behind… just claim Epiphany – haha.)

One thing I just learned this year is that each country has its own variation of a round sweet bread, sweet-roll, or almond bread ring that Epiphany celebrators will eat on this day. {YUM!} This sweet bread is decorated by a paper crown – either a larger crown placed inside the ring or smaller gold colored crowns decorating the top. Some of the cakes have a small figure of a king or a baby (representing baby Jesus) hidden inside. Sound familiar? {Our Mardi Gras King Cakes.}

Another centuries-old custom is The Chalking of the Doors, where a special sign is written above the door in chalk. This sign looks like a strange equation, but once you know how to read it, the meaning is beautiful. The equation is the current year split in half, with the letters and symbols +, C, +, M, +, B, and + placed in between.

The letters are said to represent the names of the three symbolic Magi who visited Jesus in His first home, Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar. But the letters actually abbreviate the Latin phrase: Christus mansionem benedicat, which means, “May Christ bless the house.”

The “+” signs separating the letters represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “19” at the end, mark this current year. This equation symbolizes a request for Christ to bless the homes so marked, and all who enter.

A traditional prayer or blessing is said over the home, usually by the head of the family. An example of this blessing is:

May all who come to our home this year rejoice to find Christ living among us; and may we seek and serve, in everyone we meet, that same Jesus who is your incarnate Word, now and forever. Amen.

I love this, and have written it over our doors for the past several years. Traditionally the chalk writing remains through Easter. Seeing the symbols over our doors can help to remind us, while passing in and out on our daily routines, that our homes and all those who come and go belong to Christ.  (It’s also a wonderful conversation starter with guests and the UPS man!)

Epiphany means “to show,” “to make known,” or “to reveal.”  It is a part of the Christmas season where we are challenged to reflect on how the wise men sought out the Christ-Child, brought Him gifts, and revealed Jesus to the on-looking world as the Real Lord and King.

Epiphany is to be a time where we focus on the truth that those who seek Jesus will find Him, just as the Wise Men did.  

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

When the Wise Men bowed down to Jesus and presented Him their valuable gifts, they acknowledged Him as King of all Kings… not just King of the religious people, but King of everyone, of you and of me.  PTL!

Our home will celebrate a “Season of Epiphany”  beginning on January 6, and lasting through Ash Wednesday.  During this time, we will reflect upon the life of Jesus, the Gift of Jesus, and the mission of Jesus and His church body in light of the Nativity…what it means to belong to Him, to be filled by Him, and to be poured out for His glory.  

Honestly, I want to live in observance of this season of Epiphany.  How about you?

Epiphany trumpets the call for all of us to become wise men (and women) who seek Jesus, searching for Him with all of our hearts (Jer. 29:13) as we present ourselves to Him as gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

“When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshipped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts – gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 (Amp)

Epiphany - When Wise Men (and Women) Still Seek Jesus. SmellingCoffee.com


As we move ahead into 2019, let’s do it with a wiseman’s mindset of Epiphany…of seeking and finding Jesus and bowing before Him in all things. 

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;”
Lamentations 3:25

Happy New Year, and a blessed Season of Epiphany to you all ~

PS: If you’d like to learn more about Epiphany, this is an excellent web article.  Also, This is a wonderful website about all of the Christian observances during the church year. I highly encourage you to visit and study through this site, link by link.  I promise, you’ll be blessed! 🙂

A Quick New Year Encouragement

A quick link to some new year encouragement - SmellingCoffee.com

Happy New Year, friends!!! I pray that your 2019 is already off to a good start! I’m still with family and not yet in my “normal” routine, but I wanted to hop on here and give you a quick link to something that will BLESS you tremendously as you head into this 2019:

It’s Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s two podcasts from the past two days. SO GOOD!!! I know lots of writers are sharing great wisdom as we turn another calendar page and step into a new year, and I have read and agree with much of them over the past week. But this one… Just WOW!

If you want to end 2019 differently and a more God-honoring version of yourself, this is a must-read/listen. It’s a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness as we turn this corner, and of his Grace and Mercy that make all things new.

If you are wondering what the Lord would have for you to focus on in this new year… read/listen this short 2-part series, and make use of the worksheet Nancy offers.

I just can’t say enough about this… so I’ll leave it to you. Go here as soon as possible. 🙂 (Link: https://www.reviveourhearts.com/series/looking-back-looking-forward/)

ALSO, this is the worksheet of questions she talks about.

Much love to you, my friends… May the Lord make Himself known and great through you and me in this new 2019!

 

Dealing with Christmas-Time-Mixed-Emotions

Christmas time & dealing with its bag full of emotions. SmellingCoffee.com

Christmas time is a bag full of mixed emotions.

Enjoyment – of extra gatherings of family & friends

Emotional Stress – caused by extra gatherings of family & friends

Exhaustion – due to extra gatherings of family & friends

Expectations – of problems solved & loves reunited (the way it always happens in Christmas movies)

Disappointment – because not all problems are solved & loves are united (the way it always happens in Christmas movies)

Fond Memories – of loved ones & past Christmases

Painful Memories – of loved ones & past Christmases

Joy – in planning & gifting to others

Financial Stress – involved in planning & gifting to others

Mental Stress – involved in planning & gifting to others

Selfishness – involved in planning & gifting to others

Pleasure – of planning, cooking, decorating, & serving during this season

Pressure – to plan, cook, decorate, & serve this season

Contentment – in being with the ones we love

Intense Sorrow – in missing the ones we love

Stress of Travel – to be with the ones we love

Guilt – if everything we do or feel during this season isn’t “Holly Jolly”

More Guilt – if what we are doing to “celebrate Jesus’ birthday” is actually pulling us away from Jesus instead of toward Him

If I’m being honest, these are just a few of the emotions that swirl around my head and heart on a regular basis during Christmas time – “The Most Wonderful Time of Year.” In a mere few seconds I can feel the exact opposite way about the very same thing! Can you?

And when these polar emotions battle it out, if the negative one wins, then I tend to feel ashamed in myself for letting it be that way.

Why can’t Christmas time be like it is portrayed in the books, songs, movies, and commercials?

Why do we pressure ourselves (or allow others to pressure us) to conform to this Americanized version of Christmas?
Before we begin to heap more guilt upon guilt, consider this:

The first Christmas was full of emotions, too.

Enjoyment – of Mary & Joseph being together on a journey

Emotional Stress – caused by going on a journey with Mary in such a delicate condition

Exhaustion – due to traveling in such a delicate condition

Expectations – of what it would be like once they arrived in Jerusalem

Disappointment – because nothing turned out as they had expected

Fond Memories – of past family gatherings

Painful Memories – of missing home and loved ones

Joy – in being recognized and counted as a family unit in the census

Financial Stress – involved in providing for their time in Jerusalem

Mental Stress – involved in figuring out the details of this journey

Selfishness – involved in longing for comfort and home

Pleasure – of remembering the words the Angels spoke unto them

Pressure – encased in the words the Angels spoke unto them

Contentment – in being in this together

Sorrow – in Mary in being far away from familiar help at this time

Guilt – in Joseph not being able to provide better conditions for Mary and the Baby

I imagine that at one point or another, emotions similar to these whirled around the heads and hearts of Mary and Joseph during this Blessed time that we call Christmas.

Like us, they most likely battled loneliness, rejection, uncertainty, grief, and guilt right alongside their joy and pleasure and contentment. But who wants to talk about these negative feelings during Christmas time?

I’ll tell you Who: The very One who was born to these humble parents – Jesus Christ.

Jesus knows and fully understands the emotions that push and pull us during this time of year. He sees what commercialism has done to His Holy Day, and stands ready to help us navigate each and every feeling. But in the same way that gifts with our names on them aren’t really ours until we accept them, Jesus’ offer to lead us through the days to come won’t affect us unless we accept it.

“Nothing is too difficult for God” Jeremiah 32:17 tells us. This passage goes on to promise that “The great, the Mighty God, the Lord of Hosts is His name – Great [is He] in counsel and mighty in deeds” (vs 18-19).

Over and over in His Word, God calls us to come to Him for help.  I looked up some synonyms of the word “help” and found this list of 85 along with brief definitions. As you read a few of the synonyms below, slowly soak in these dimensions of “help” and think about them in light of Jesus:

Accommodate , Advance, Advise, Aid, Alleviate, Assist, Attend, Back, Bail out, Be of use, Befriend, Benefit, Bolster, Boost, Buck up, Care for, Champion, Cheer, Comfort, Counsel, Deliver, Ease, Embolden, Encourage, Favor, Go to bat for, Guide, Hearten, Intercede, Launch, Lend a hand, Mentor, Minister to, Nurture, Open doors, Prop up, Reinforce, Relieve, Remedy, Rescue, Restore, Revive, Root for, Save, Stick up for, Stimulate, Support, Sustain, Take under one’s wing, Treat, Uphold, Work for…

Dear friend, do you need help in navigating a bevy of conflicting emotions during this holiday season? If so, all you have to do is to ask. The Lord understands the thoughts and intents of our hearts (Heb. 4:12-13).  He knows that we are flesh (Psalm 78:39) and will lead us as a Gentle Shepherd through the highs and lows of life on this earth (Psalm 23).

And weary one, Jesus understands drained and exhausted too, and invites us to come to Him and let Him carry our loads (Matthew 11:28-30).

After all, that’s really what Christmas is about. The celebration of Jesus, God Himself in the form of the Promised Savior and Deliverer, coming to earth, taking on a body of flesh, trading with us our sin and sorrows, and paying our very penalty of death so that we can fully live, both now and forever! (John 10:10)

From this Gift of Jesus stems the traditions that we have come to know as Christmas. When we let the activities and expectations be wrapped by the Help of Our Savior, we will discover a deep abiding joy… because that’s the Supernatural result of focusing our heads and hearts on Jesus.

Are your emotions getting the best of you during this holiday season?

If so, may I share an idea that worked for me when I began to feel overwhelmed?

Honestly list the emotions you are experiencing, the good and bad, happy and sad – and why you think you are feeling these ways. Then give the whole list to Jesus. Ask Him to show you His perspective on your current circumstances. He will begin to open your eyes to see His presence, gifts and blessings in each one. Then write down what the Lord shows you, and ask for His Strength to help you praise Him in the midst of it all.

This isn’t a guarantee that you will be happy, but a promise that the Joy of the Lord can override every other emotion contending for central focus.

Christmas time sure is a bag full of mixed emotions. But the Gift offered to us through Jesus is a gazillion bags overflowing with JOY. It would be the wisest choice of a lifetime to receive it, unwrap it, and embrace the Savior to His fullest. Oh how I pray that’s exactly what you and I will do as we embrace Jesus this Christmas season!

With love,

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