Easter Story Cookies

I was reading a post by MamaBear about keeping Easter meaningful, and I remembered these cookies, which really helped Will and Jack understand the Easter story when they were little.  It's time to "resurrect" it this year for Gabe, I think.  It is one of my all time favorite traditions.  Thanks, Carrie!

Ingredients:

1 c. whole pecans

1 t. vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1 c. sugar

Ziploc bag

1 wooden spoon

scotch tape

Bible

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  (This is very important--don't wait until you are half done with the recipe.)  Place pecans in Ziploc bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read John 19:1-3.  Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 t. vinegar into the mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, he was given vinegar to drink.  Read John 19:28-30.  Add egg whites to the vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life.  Read John 10:10-11.  Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Le them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.  Read Luke 23:27.  So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add 1 c. sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know that we belong to him.  Read Psalm 34:8.  Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12-15 minutes, until stiff peaks form.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.  Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid.  Read Matthew 27:57-60.  Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn the oven OFF.  Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus's tomb was sealed.  Read Matthew 27:65-66.  GO TO BED!  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus's followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.  Read John 16:20 and 22.  On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first Easter, Jesus's followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matthew 28:1-9.