Easter: The Hope that is Found in His Love

I keep saying Easter is one of my favorite holidays, but the older I get (no doubt it has so much to do with being a mom now - realizing the importance of raising these little hearts with an eternal perspective) it's really become my #1 favorite holiday.  No, it's not because of the bunny or egg hunts and all the other activities, which are most definitely super fun without the stress & expectations of Christmas, or that with Easter comes spring... *Oh how I instantly feel a lift in my spirits when the sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and we're (all 4) riding down the road with our arms up singing "Hands in the air like we don't care!"... 

But no, that's not it.  To me, Easter is the definition of Hope.  Easter is when God's promise was fulfilled.  Just when darkness thought they won, they had been defeated in the biggest way... You know the feeling you get when you get to prove the naysayers wrong?!  That's the victory Christians felt the moment Jesus had risen again and defeated death, proving He indeed was the Messiah, our Savior!


Because of the resurrection:

• You & I can pray knowing God hears our prayers.
• We can live knowing there is life beyond this life.
• You can sacrifice knowing your faithfulness matters
• He proved he was who he said he was... our Lord & Savior.

Explaining it to Little Ones

This can seem pretty difficult to talk to little ones about, talking about death and all, but it shouldn't be... that's not what we're celebrating.  We're celebrating that he conquered all and lived again.  So this is how I easily explain it to The Kraze: Easter reminds us of the day Jesus saved the entire world... and they excitedly ask, "Like a superhero?!", to which I reply, "Jesus is the #1 Superhero!!!"

I leave you with this: 

Alone in my sorrow dead in my sin
Lost without hope with no place to begin
Your love Made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began

Ash was redeemed only beauty remains 
My orphan heart was given a name
My mourning grew quiet my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began

Oh your grace so free
Washes over me 
You have made me new
Now life begins with you
It's your endless love
Pouring down on us
You have made us new
Now life begins with you

Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more
My shame was a ransom he faithfully bore
He cancelled my debt and he called me his friend
When death was arrested and my life began

Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That's when death was arrested and my life began 
That's when death was arrested and my life began 

Oh we're free free
Forever we're free
Come join the song
Of all the redeemed

Yes we're free free
Forever amen
When death was arrested 
and my life began 

    ~ Death was Arrested, North Point Inside Out