Christ-Centered Countdown to Easter

I've been busy lately planning a surprise Easter countdown for the Ferrell boys.  They love countdowns.  :)

I had initially planned to make each boy a Christ-centered Easter basket this year similar to the ones on the Detail Oriented Diva blog.  She has some cute ideas for an Easter basket using items typically found in an Easter basket and associating a Bible verse or Christian meaning to the item.  Such a cute and creative idea to focus on Jesus in what has become a very commercialized holiday.  I'm guilty of overdoing the whole Easter basket idea . . . Last year's Easter baskets were a prime example:



Easter 2012

I have already purchased some items in anticipation of preparing Christ-centered Easter baskets for the boys, but at some point, it occurred to me that there was probably a better way to focus on Jesus this Easter than putting all my "ducks" in one basket!  :)

Alex - Easter 2012

On Easter morning, the Ferrell boys are wild with excitement and tear through their Easter baskets looking for each new surprise hidden for them.  I don't think during that frenzied Easter morning, the Ferrell boys would get the full impact of the Bible lessons I'm trying to present if I put all the Christ-centered items in their baskets.

Easter Frenzy 2012

So I decided I would combine the Ferrell boys' love of countdowns with my desire to focus on Jesus completely this Easter . . . instead of the bunny.  So I have planned an Easter countdown using the principles of the Christ-centered Easter basket starting the weekend before Easter (Palm Sunday weekend).  We will be counting down to Easter with a special surprise each day for the boys with a scripture-related meaning for each item. 

Shane - Easter 2012

I am going to put each item in a brown paper bag for each day with the scripture reference on the outside of the bag.  I am going to let the boys look the scripture up prior to opening the bags and try to guess, after reading the scripture, what is in the bag.  Hopefully, this will give the boys more time to think about the scripture and its meaning to them.

Zach - Easter 2012

I have purchased 3 small Easter baskets for the boys, and I have painted their names on the front of each basket.  Everyday I will put a brown paper bag filled with a special item for each Ferrell boy along with the scripture reference.

The Ferrell boys have no idea that I'm planning this, and I'm so excited about doing it! I can't believe I have kept it quiet for so long! 

Check out the Detail-Oriented Diva blog for her clever ideas for putting Christ in the center of your Easter celebration.  I am using some of her ideas, and I am incorporating some of my own ideas for the Ferrell boys' countdown. 

I am still going to make the boys a Christ-centered Easter basket, and hopefully after participating in the countdown the whole week prior to Easter, the boys will take the time to appreciate the scripture references with the items in their Easter basket.

Here are some of my picks for the Ferrell boys in no particular order:

1.  Comb/shampoo (hair bows for girls) -

Luke 12:7 - Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (ESV)
(I'm probably going to give the boys a buzz cut as a part of this happy.  They've been trying to get me to do for a week or two now)  :)




2.  Cologne or perfume -

2 Cor. 2:14 - But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (ESV)  (Yes, you will smell the Ferrell boys coming after this I'm sure)

 3.  Finger lights - Matt 5:16 -

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  (ESV)





4.  Jewelry or gold/silver coins - Psalm 119:72 - The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (ESV)  (No picture of this.  I have to go to the bank to get some of those gold dollar coins)

5.  Markers, crayons, or art supplies - Eph. 2:10 -

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)
(We are probably going to have a craft project to make as a part of this happy.)

6.  Rock candy or Pop rocks candy -
             Jesus is the Rock!

Matt 7:24-25 - Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
( Resurrection garden craft in conjunction with this happy.)




7.  Hand soap/sanitizer - Psalm 24:4-5 -

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.  He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

8.  Slinky - Rev 7:17 -

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

9.  Stapler -    Ephesians 4:15-16 -

  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.             From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.   


I know that some of these items are kind of weird . . . like the mini stapler . . .but my boys will love it.  I'll post my items for the Easter basket in a later post.  I had to be very creative for some of the items (hot wheels cars, nerf guns, and crocs).

Please share any ideas you have for making Jesus the center of your Easter holiday.  I'd love to hear them!

Until then . . . start counting down to Easter with . . . . .

                        the Ferrell boys and me!

I'm linking up to these awesome parties!