Easter Story Cookies--Made the night before Easter

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
1 pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important--don't wait until you are
half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let 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 tsp vinegar into the 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 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. Let them taste it and brush the
rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus'
followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that
the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He
wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are
formed. 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 teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie
sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus'
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' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.

Go to Bed! Explain that they must feel sad to leave the cookies in the
oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was
sealed. Read John 16: 20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven door and give everyone a cookie.
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow!
On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb
open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.