On Good Friday we reflect on the magnitude of Christ's death. From noon until 3:00p.m., all activity ceases. Little ones nap. The older children and I watch the Jesus video put out by Campus Crusade for Christ. It was filmed at over two hundred locations in Israel, and every word taken directly from the Gospel of Luke.

In the evening, Dad leads us in another reflective activity. We have a makeshift cross ready. This can easily be made from two pieces of two-by-four wood or some large branches of a tree nailed together. For even greater effect, save the real tree you used for Christmas -- and use it to make your cross. This helps children to see that the same baby Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas grew up to be the Saviour who died on the cross.

After the family is gathered, we read 1 John 1:5-2:2 and talk about how the sins we commit, the wrong things we do every day, are what nailed Jesus to the cross. Each person present quietly writes a sin they have been struggling with on a slip of paper. Those too young to write may draw pictures or have a parent help.

We play an appropriate song that helps to convey this message. As the song plays, each one of them takes a turn nailing his or her sin to the cross. We leave the cross up in a prominent place until Easter morning, when the nails and papers will have been removed (don't forget to do this after the children have gone to bed!) and instead a length of purple cloth appears draped over the shoulders of the cross.

He is risen and our sins are forgiven!

The egg is a traditional symbol of spring and has special connection to the Easter season. Representing new birth and renewal, it is a fitting reminder of our Saviour's victorious resurrection from the grave on Easter morning. In addition to this symbolism, an egg is also a great help in explaining to a child the meaning of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). The three parts of the egg -- the shell, the white, and the yolk -- join to form one egg just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are separate parts of the Trinity that join to form one whole.

These delicate decorations will become a marvel and a treasure to your family, and the process isn't as difficult as you might think. Follow these steps: . Use a needle to poke a small hole in the smaller end of an egg and a slightly larger hole at the opposite end.

. Push the needle in as far as you and wiggle it around to puncture the membrane around the yolk.

. Place your mouth over the small hole and blow out the egg yolk and white through the larger hole into the bowl. (Save the yolks and whites to whip up an omelette or use in baking).

. Rinse and dry the hollowed egg shells. Now the eggs are ready to colour, but be careful, as they're fragile. If packed carefully, these will last for years.

Just as you marvel at how certain elements can turn varying colours of the rainbow, you can marvel at the shades of grace that form our faith. Talk about these shades with those you love. Colour one egg each of the following colours as you discuss what each represents and what it means to you.

White stands for purity and the grace Jesus Christ gives to us.

Purple represents the traditional colour of royalty and reminds us that Jesus is the King of Kings.

Green signifies new life, now available to us through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Red (or deep pink) symbolizes the blood Jesus shed on the cross.

Black (mix all the colours together to obtain this colour) is for the sins we've committed that are now forgiven in Christ.

Yellow is the Light of the World, Jesus, the Son of God.

Orange represents the beautiful sunrise on that first Easter morning.

After colouring your eggs as a family, put them in an Easter basket and take to a neighbour or an elderly couple. Have the children tell what each colour represents. What a fun way to spread the Good News!

Source: by Karen Ehman with Kelly Hovermale & Trish Smith ~ From Australian Prayer Netword Newsletter 2008

(Jubilation is an emotion of an individual or a group associated with happiness and celebration.)