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Wonder Kids
Planting Seeds of Hope: Talking About Easter with Young Children - Embracing Diverse Understandings
Easter can be a challenging holiday to explain to young children, especially when navigating the complexities of death and resurrection. As progressive Christians, we can approach this season with honesty, gentleness, and a focus on the enduring themes of love, hope, and new beginnings, while also acknowledging that there are diverse ways to understand the concept of resurrection.
Focusing on the Heart of the Story, with Room for Interpretation:
Instead of getting bogged down in literal interpretations, we can guide our children towards the core message of Easter: the power of love to overcome darkness and despair, and the idea that love and hope persist even after loss. It's also important to acknowledge that people understand the "resurrection" in different ways.
* The Story of Love: Begin by telling the story of Jesus as a loving teacher and friend. Emphasize his compassion for others and his commitment to justice.
* The Sadness and the Hope: Acknowledge the sadness of Jesus's death, but frame it within the context of his unwavering love. Explain that even when things seem dark and hopeless, love can bring new life and hope.
* The Symbol of New Life: Focus on the symbols of Easter: the blooming flowers, the baby animals, and the vibrant colors. These represent the renewal of life and the promise of hope that Easter embodies.
* Different understandings of Resurrection: When discussing the resurrection, it is helpful to explain that this is a mystery, and that people have understood this part of the story in many different ways.
* Some people understand it as Jesus’s physical body returning to life.
* Others understand it as Jesus’s spirit living on, and his teachings continuing to inspire people.
* Others understand it as the re-birth of the spirit of hope, and love, inside of his followers.
* Explain that all of these understandings are valid, and that the most important thing is the message of hope and love that Easter represents.
Age-Appropriate Language and Activities:
* Keep it Simple: Use language that is easy for young children to understand. Avoid theological jargon and focus on concrete images and emotions.
* Emphasize Feelings: Talk about how Jesus's friends felt sad and scared, but also how they felt hopeful and joyful when they realized his teachings and love continued to live on.
* Engage the Senses: Use sensory experiences to connect with the themes of Easter. Plant seeds together, paint colorful pictures, or listen to joyful music.
* Focus on Community: Easter is a time for togetherness. Share stories of love and kindness, and encourage children to participate in acts of service.
* Use Children's Books: There are many wonderful children's books that tell the Easter story in a gentle and age-appropriate way. Seek out books that focus on love, hope, and new beginnings rather than graphic depictions of violence.
* The Egg as Metaphor: The egg is a wonderful metaphor for new life. From what looks like a stone, new life emerges. This can be related to the new life that the followers of Jesus found after his death, whether it be spiritual, or physical.
Answering Difficult Questions:
* Be Honest and Gentle: If your child asks difficult questions about death or suffering, answer them honestly and gently. Acknowledge that these are big questions that adults struggle with too.
* Focus on Love and Hope: Emphasize that even in the face of sadness and loss, love and hope are always present.
* Create Space for Grief: If your child is experiencing grief, allow them to express their feelings and provide comfort and support.
Celebrating New Beginnings:
Easter is a time to celebrate new beginnings and the power of love to transform our lives. As progressive Christians, we can use this season to plant seeds of hope in the hearts of our children, nurturing their understanding of a faith that is rooted in compassion, justice, and the enduring promise of love, and also a faith that allows for different ways of understanding complex theological concepts.
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