From the first Easter morning to the present day, Christians around the world have hailed each other with the Easter Greeting: Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Jesus Christ is not dead, he is alive! Through his miraculous resurrection, sin and death have been defeated and we have been reconciled to God. Our joy overflows and we cannot be silent, we must cry out! These are events so deserving of praise and cheers that, as Jesus said in Luke 19:40, if we kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Alleluia! Let’s begin with the word Alleluia . Alleluia is the Greek form of the Hebrew Hallelujah, which means Praise the Lord . We first find Hallelujah in the book of Psalms where it is two words, not one. Psalm 104, for example, ends with the acclamation, “Praise the LORD.” The word “Praise” is Hallel, which is the greatest expression of praise for God in Hebrew. The second word is Jah and means LORD. So Hallelujah is the greatest expression of praise that we can offer to God. The Hebrew word Hallelujah was carefully preserved, untranslated, by the Early Christians. They used it as their highest expression of thanksgiving, joy, and triumph. It can be found in the earliest Christian liturgies, such as the fourth-century Liturgy of St. Mark. Christ is Risen! “Christ is Risen!’ is adapted from Matthew 28. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary have come to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. An angel tells them: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen , just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.” (Matthew 28:5-7) “He has risen indeed” comes from the Gospel of Luke. After Jesus revealed himself to the two men on the way to Emmaus , they ran back to Jerusalem and told the eleven disciples: “ The Lord has risen indeed , and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34) . The Easter Greeting Tradition in Other Languages According to legend, after the Holy Spirit fell on the followers of Jesus, Mary Magdalene went to share the gospel with Emperor Tiberius Caesar in Rome. She went to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ. She exclaimed for the first time what is now the universal Easter proclamation among Christians, “Christ is risen!” If Mary did share the Easter Greeting with the Emperor, what language would she have used?  If Greek: Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! If Latin: Christus surréxit! Surréxit vere, allelúja! If Ukrainian (ok, we know Mary didn’t use Ukrainian!) : Khristos voskres! Voistinu voskres! The Easter Liturgy The Easter Greeting can be found in our earliest liturgies. In the Great Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, we move through the lighting of the Paschal Candle, the reading of the Exultet, the baptisms and finally we arrive at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is at this moment, when we are about to partake of the body and blood of Christ, that the priest stands before God’s people and leads them in this ancient greeting. Celebrant: Alleluia! Christ is Risen!People: The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! The Easter Greeting has been unleashed! For the next fifty days, Christians all over the world will now greet each other with this special greeting, some also exchanging a triple kiss of peace on each other’s cheeks. It will be used throughout the whole season of Easter and is so pervasive that some Christians even answer their phones with the phrase! A Resurrection Reminder The Easter Greeting is not just a way of saying hello, but a proclamation of our faith. It reminds us every time we shout it in church or greet one another with it of the hope and joy that we have in Christ, and it serves as a reminder that the resurrection is not just an event that happened in the past, but a present reality that we can experience in our lives today! Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! For more about Easter and how to celebrate it in your home, check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter Let us keep the feast!

It’s Eastertide, a season that invites us to live into resurrection, not just as a belief, but as a practice. It’s the long, joyful stretch of days where we keep saying He is risen! and begin to notice how that truth reshapes even the most ordinary parts of life. For me, one of the most tangible ways I practice resurrection is in the kitchen. Taking time to create something beautiful, from scratch, with my hands, especially when I could have defaulted to convenience, feels like an act of hope. I've been wanting to try a new recipe, one that I've been creating in my mind for some time but have not had time to make. First, let me give you some background on this recipe. I am a very adventurous eater, there is not much out there that I don't like, especially when it comes to desserts but traditional banana pudding is one of those things that I will not eat. Maybe it's the boxed pudding with the artificial banana flavor or the eggy flavor of the meringue or all of the above, I don't know. I just know that there is something about it that has always been really gross to me. My mind changed toward banana pudding when Mrs. Marsha Layfield, a dear friend of my mom's, shared her version of banana pudding with my family. She used vanilla pudding mix which dialed down the artificial banana flavor, Cool Whip instead of the eggy meringue, and a secret ingredient...sour cream which cut the intense sweetness and added some depth. This was a Southern banana pudding that I could get behind! My mom's friend's banana pudding is now a family staple, made at many a family event but as I've gotten older and become a cook myself, I've always wondered if I could make it even better by making most everything from scratch. I'm not adventurous enough to try to make homemade Nilla Wafers but I did want to make a new recipe with homemade custard and whipped cream. Well, I was finally able to make it today, and let me just say that if you've ever avoided banana pudding, you should not anymore! This recipe is SO good! The bananas, the homemade custard, the Nilla Wafers, and the whipped cream all come together to make absolute heaven! the recipe - The Best Banana Pudding 6 bananas, sliced 1 box of Nilla Wafers 1 cup of sour cream Custard: 1 1/3 cups whole milk 12 egg yolks 1 1/2 cups of sugar Whipped Cream: 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sugar To make the custard: In a saucepan, heat up the milk on medium-high heat. Add the egg yolks and the sugar. Stir constantly with a whisk until the custard thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Transfer the custard to a bowl and place plastic wrap directly on top of the custard. This will keep a film from forming on the top of the custard. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. To make the whipped cream: In a stand mixer, fixed with a whisk attachment, add the heavy cream and sugar. Whip on high speed until stiff peaks form. To make the pudding: Layer half of the sliced bananas on the bottom of a 9 X 13 casserole dish. Next, add a single layer of Nilla Wafers. Fold in the sour cream and half of the whipped cream into the cooled custard. Spread half of the custard mixture onto the banana/wafers layer. Layer the remaining sliced bananas, wafers, and custard mixture. Top with the remaining whipped cream. Cover and chill for an hour.

Happy first day of April! This is such a monumental month in the Liturgical Year as we finish out the season of Lent, move through Holy Week, celebrate Easter (hooray!) and begin to move through the 50 day celebration also known as the season of Easter! I can’t wait to celebrate it with you! Here’s an overview with helpful links: Holy Week April 13th - Palm Sunday April 17th - Maundy Thursday April 18th - Good Friday April 19th - Holy Saturday Easter Season April 20th - Easter Sunday April 21st-26th Easter Week April 28th - St. Mark, the Evangelist Current Season: Lent then Easter During the month of April, we transtion from the season of Lent to the season of Easter. Here are some helpful articles overviewing each season: The Season of Lent The Season of Easter And since we are entering a new season, the season of Easter, during this month, check out my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter . It gives you everything you need to know to celebrate the season in you home. April 13th - Palm Sunday Throughout Lent, we have been on a journey with Jesus as he makes his way to Jerusalem and to his eventual death. On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into the holy city of Jerusalem and we begin to walk him him through his last days also known as Holy Week. Celebrating Palm Sunday Make a Palm Sunday Mobile Make Pa x Cakes for Palm Sunday Make a Palm Sunday Wreath Palm Sunday Printable Play Set April 17th - Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper Jesus shared with His disciples. The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum , meaning "command," referring to Jesus' command to "love one another as I have loved you." On this night, Jesus washed His disciples' feet and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. It marks the beginning of the Triduum, the three sacred days leading up to Easter, and invites Christians to reflect on humility, service, and the depth of Christ's love. Commemorating Maundy Thursday in Your Home April 18th - Good Friday Good Friday is the most solemn day of the church year. It holds profound significance for Christians, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. We solemnly remember the sacrificial acts of Jesus, who bore the sins of humanity and “reconciled to himself all things, whether in heaven or on earth, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:20) Commemorating Good Friday in Your Home Make Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday April 19th - Holy Saturday Holy Saturday is a day of quiet waiting and sacred stillness. The body of Christ lies in the tomb, and the Church holds her breath in hope. This in-between day invites us into silence and reflection, lingering in the mystery of death before the joy of resurrection breaks forth. How to Commemorate Holy Saturday April 20th - Easter Sunday (the season of Easter begins!) Easter Sunday is the glorious culmination of the Triduum and the highest feast of the Christian year. It celebrates the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, the definitive victory over sin and death. On this day, the Church rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s promises, the dawning of new creation, and the hope of eternal life. Every Sunday finds its meaning in this day, the feast of feasts, when the tomb was found empty and death was defeated forever. Easter is Here! Easter Celebrations in Your Home The Significance of the Easter L amb Make an Easter Lamb Cake My Favorite Children's Books for Easter Christ is Risen! A Guide to the Easter Greeting Tradition The Significance of Eggs in Easter Cracking the Tradition: The Significance of Red Easter Eggs How to Dye Easter Eggs Red Using Onion Skins Make Tsoureki: The Symbolic Greek Easter Bread Easter Fun With Egg-Cracking Games How to Make Beginner Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs ) The History of Pysanky Eggs April 21st-26th Easter Week The week after Easter, known as the Octave of Easter, is a continuation of the feast itself, eight days of sustained celebration in the joy of the Resurrection. Each day is liturgically treated as Easter Day, overflowing with alleluias , light, and renewal. The Church doesn't move on quickly; she lingers in the miracle. With the Octave, the season of Easter has begun, fifty days of rejoicing that stretch from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. It’s a time of deepening joy, of basking in the light of the Risen Christ, and watching the early Church take shape in the readings. Death is defeated. Everything is being made new. Easter Beyond Sunday: Embracing the Fullness of the Season of Easter Easter Surprises: Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Easter Season How to Celebrate Easter Monday Practice Resurrection During the Easter Season Practice Resurrection With Easter Flowers Celebrate Easter: Plant Seeds Celebrate Easter With Strawberry Shortcake April 28th - St. Mark, the Evangelist On the Feast of St. Mark, we celebrate the author of the Gospel of Mark and a companion of both St. Peter and St. Paul. According to early tradition, Mark founded the Church in Alexandria, making him one of the first to bring the Gospel to Africa and an early patriarch of the Coptic Church. His feast day highlights his role as both a writer and a missionary, emphasizing the bold proclamation of the Good News. Celebrating the Feast of St. Mark This is such an important month and I can't wait to celebrate it with you!

As I began my journey through the liturgical year, I often wondered how we got the food traditions that we have. For instance, why do we eat watermelon at the Feast of St. Bartholomew? Why do we eat Cuccia made from wheat berries for the Feast of St. Lucia? The answer is actually quite simple because those things were in season at the time of the feast day! Throughout history, Christians around the world celebrated the liturgical year with meals that reflected the seasons. They gathered whatever was fresh and available in their region, creating dishes that honored both their faith and the God-created natural cycles of the earth. This practice wasn't just about practicality; it was a profound way of living in harmony with God's creation, appreciating the gifts He provides throughout the year. In our modern world, where convenience often trumps tradition, it's easy to forget the richness that comes from eating seasonally. Yet, there is something profoundly grounding about returning to this practice. When we choose to celebrate the liturgical year with foods that are in season, we reconnect with the natural rhythms established by a loving God who blesses us with bounty. Practical Ways to Get Started Know Your Seasons : Start by familiarizing yourself with what’s in season in your area. Local farmers' markets are great places to learn about seasonal produce and even gain inspiration for your meals. Plan Liturgical Feasts : As you plan your liturgical celebrations, think about how you can incorporate seasonal foods into your menus. For example, a Lenten soup could feature fresh spring greens, while an Advent dessert might use winter spices and preserved fruits. Try Traditional Recipes : Look up traditional recipes that align with the liturgical seasons. Many of these dishes have been passed down through generations and are deeply rooted in the seasonal bounty of their regions. Get Creative : Don’t be afraid to get creative and adapt recipes based on what’s available. The goal is to honor the spirit of the season and the liturgical celebration, not to follow recipes rigidly. Involve the Family : Make this a family affair. Involve your children in picking out seasonal produce, cooking, and learning about the liturgical significance of each meal. It’s a wonderful way to teach them about faith, gratitude, and the natural world.

We are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus for 50 days! 50 days of feasting and celebrating! One of the ways I love to celebrate the Easter season is with flowers. Lately, I've seen all of these gorgeous pictures of blossoming branches in vases in people's homes. Unfortunately, I live in a coastal area where we don't have a lot of blossoming fruit trees, so I decided to make this tissue paper cherry blossom arrangement and create my own version of the blooming branches. I found a branch on my morning walk, perfect for a white ceramic pitcher I like using for floral arrangements. You can create a design as large or as small as you want. Just choose a container that balances with the height of the branches. I used two shades of pink tissue paper for this tutorial, but any other colors would look lovely as well. Anyway you choose, this easy-to-make spring decor is perfect for dressing up your home and reminding you of Easter. And as always, I created this tutorial with children in mind. Now go make your customized version of this tissue paper cherry blossom arrangement! Happy Easter! ~ Ashley Supplies Needed for the Arrangement Supplies: Branches Container (you could use mason jars with small twigs, a pitcher, a vase, etc.) Tissue paper (I used two shades of pink, but you could use yellow, white, or lavender. Really, any color will do!) Clear Glue or Hot Glue (I used hot glue and clear glue in case you have little children and don't want them to burn themselves. Both worked just fine.) Scissors Ruler A retractable pen Measure and cut out 3" X 3" squares of your two different colors of tissue paper. Stack the squares and cut into a four-petal shape. This is not an exact science! Your shapes might look rough, but the next steps will hide any flaws. Overlay a petal shape from each color. Take the end of a retractable pen that has been retracted and push it into the center of the two pieces of tissue paper. Push the shapes over the pin and lightly twist the tip. Set aside. Continue making blossoms until you have enough to cover each branch tip. Add a branch or branches to your container. Hot glue or glue the tips of the petals to the ends of your branches. If you are using hot glue, it should be done by an adult rather than a child. It is too easy to burn yourself. I used hot and clear school glue, and preferred the clear school glue. It did not burn, and it did not leave those long threads of hot glue everywhere. Keep gluing on blossoms until all of the branch tips are covered.

Easter isn’t just a day—it’s a whole season of joy, and it’s meant to be celebrated! For fifty days, we get to lean into the truth that Jesus is risen, and that changes everything. I’ve been trying to be more mindful of how I live into that joy in my everyday life—how I “practice resurrection,” not just in church, but right here at home. One of the simplest and most meaningful ways I’ve found to do that? Through food. This week, I was trying to think of a dessert that is rich and decadent feeling, a dessert that fills me with joy with every bite that I take. The dessert that immediately came to mind was Tiramisu. This classic Italian dessert is layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, a creamy cheese and vanilla custard layer, and homemade whipped cream. It's a simple and elegant dessert that is perfect for this Easter season! So why not try making Tiramisu this Easter season? It's a sweet way to practice resurrection and celebrate the new life that Christ offers us! the recipe - Tiramisu Custard 2/3 cup whole milk 6 egg yolks 3/4 cup sugar 1 pound cream cheese, room temperature Ladyfinger Coffee Mixture 1 1/2 packages ladyfingers 1/2 cup hot water 2-3 tablespoons rum 2 tablespoons instant coffee Whipped Cream 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup cocoa powder, for dusting To make the tiramisu filling: In a saucepan, heat up the milk on medium-high heat. While it’s heating, add the 6 egg yolks and 3/4 cup of sugar. Whisk constantly. After a few minutes, the custard will thicken to an almost pudding-like consistency. Pour the custard into a bowl, place plastic wrap directly on top of the custard, it and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add whipping cream. Whip on high soft peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla and beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. To assemble the tiramisu: In a 9x11-inch dish, lay the ladyfingers to cover the bottom of the dish. (You might need to cut them to make them fit). In a small bowl, stir together hot water, rum, and instant coffee until dissolved. Using a pastry brush, generously brush each ladyfinger with the coffee mixture. Add cooled custard mixture to cream cheese and blend until combined. Smooth 1/2 of the custard mixture on top of the ladyfingers, then 1/2 of the whipped cream. Add another layer of ladyfingers, brush with the coffee mixture, and repeat until both layers are complete. Dust cocoa powder generously over the top. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. I hope this recipe brings as much joy as it did to ours!

St. Philip and St. James were both early followers of Jesus and are considered to be two of Jesus’ twelve apostles but little is known about them beyond that. We celebrate them on the same day because even though they died at different times and in different places, their bodies were moved and brought to the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome. St. Philip was one of the first disciples that Jesus called. Jesus called Phillip right after calling Andrew and Peter. Phillip then went and found his friend Nathanael and convinced him to come and see Jesus. It was Phillip who was asked by Jesus how to feed the three thousand to which Phillip gave the very practical response, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” At the Last Supper, Phillip asks Jesus to “show us the Father and we shall be satisfied” to which Jesus responds, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Phillip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.” St. Phillip followed Jesus as a faithful disciple and then became one of the Apostles, spreading the gospel and serving as a leader in the church. He was killed in Greece under the reign of the Roman emperor, Domitian. Tradition says he was crucified upside down, like James. St. James, also known as James the Less, is also one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is known as “James the Less” to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee and James, “the brother of the Lord.” He is referred to as James the son of Alpheus in the listing of the disciples.  Both of them were martyred for their beliefs and devotion to Jesus Christ. Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Philip and St. James Read : John 14:6-14. Since St. Phillip’s recorded interaction with Jesus involved bread, make bread with your children. Braided Loaf Bread Dough: 3/4 cup warm water (95 to 110 degrees) One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast 3 teaspoons sugar 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons canola oil 2 large eggs cooking spray Topping: 1 large egg 1 teaspoon heavy cream 2 teaspoons sesame seeds To make the dough: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the warm water, the yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, remaining 2 teaspoons sugar, and the salt. With the mixer on low speed, pour in the yeast mixture, the remaining 1/2 cup warm water, the oil, and eggs. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes, until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides. Spray a large bowl lightly with cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough to release the air. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 3 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and then into a 15-inch-long rope. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the 3 ropes parallel to one another on the pan. Starting at one end of the dough ropes, carefully braid them. Pinch the ends to seal and tuck the ends underneath the braid so that only the braid shows. Lightly cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise until pillowy, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. To prepare the topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cream. Gently brush it over the dough. Sprinkle the dough with the sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown, about 28 minutes. Let the loaf cool for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 40 minutes, before serving. Recipe from www.magnolia.com

For Christians, Easter is the pinnacle of joy and celebration. Jesus rose victorious from the dead and won for us the victory over sin and death. The wonder of this event can’t be contained in a single day, that’s why we have an entire season dedicated to Easter. Throughout these fifty days, known as the season of Easter, we immerse ourselves in the magnificence of the resurrection. We feast, sing, and rejoice in the new life granted to us through Christ. As Wendell Berry says, "We practice resurrection." One of the best ways to practice resurrection in our homes is by reading wonderful books on Easter to our children. The books are a powerful teaching tool to help children understand what Easter is all about and to help them remember that we are in a season of praise and thanksgiving for the resurrection of Jesus. I kept our favorite Easter books in a box in the attic. On Easter morning, I would bring in the box of books and place them in a basket in the living room. My kids were always so excited to see these books that had been stored away! Each child would grab their favorite and for the next couple of hours, there would be complete silence as they looked through the books. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite children's books for Easter that your family can use during the season. I hope they are a blessing! Rise: A Child’s Guide to Eastertide by Laura Alary It’s very hard to find children’s books on walking through the liturgical seasons so I am so excited about Laura’s latest book, Rise: A Child’s Guide to Eastertide. It is the fourth book in her " Circle of Wonder: Liturgical Year Resource Set ” which also includes Breathe: A Child's Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time , Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas , and Make Room: A Child's Guide to Lent and Easter . Rise: A Child’s Guide to Eastertide follows a child through the fifty days of Easter, as she shares in family and community celebrations, hears stories of the Risen Jesus, notices how the world around her is coming alive again, and ponders how growth and new beginnings are part of her own life. Hallelujah: A Biblical Hebrew Primer by Danielle Hitchen and Jessica Blanchard This is a brand new book in the Baby Believer's Series that I love! Hallelujah introduces children to 10 essential Hebrew words from the Bible, their written appearance, definition, and pronunciation, and familiarizes little ones with the timeline of major events in God’s Word from creation to Revelation. Twas the Morning of Easter  by Glenys Nellist Y'all know by now that Glenys Nellist is one of my favorite children's book authors! I love her "Twas" series covering the main feast days of the liturgical year, including Twas the Morning of Easter ! ' The book reveals the joy and beauty of the resurrection of Jesus in a fresh, inspiring way. Using the classic cadence of Clement Moore's iconic poem, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," this gorgeous picture book shares the true story of Easter with little ones with read-aloud rhymes and engaging illustrations by Elena Selivanova. She also has 'Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas Season , 'Twas the Season of Lent: Devotions and Stories for the Lenten and Easter Seasons , 'Twas the Evening of Christmas . The Easter Story  by Brian Wildsmith Brian Wildsmith's books are some of my favorites. His illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! The Easter Story tells the story of the last days of Jesus' life, the crucifixion, and the resurrection, as seen through the eyes of a small donkey. It is such a sweet story! The First Easter by Carol Heyer Award-winning artist Carol Heyer brings her brilliant illustrations to the pages of this beautiful retelling of the Easter story. This inspiring book takes the young reader from Christ's birth through His life, His death, and His Resurrection. The Egg Tree by Katherine Milhouse One Easter morning, Katy and Carl went on an egg hunt through Grandmom's house. Katy couldn't find anything until she went up to the attic. And there she discovered a very special set of eggs... Grandmom had painted them when she was a little girl. And now, she hung them from the branches of a tiny tree -- an Egg Tree! So began a very special Easter tradition. This Caldecott Medal-winning story of a Pennsylvania Dutch Easter will surely inspire children to make Egg Trees of their very own. My First Easter by Tomie de Paola Celebrate the holiday with this charming book from the legendary Tomie dePaola. This board book is the perfect size for little hands. The importance of family and sharing are beautifully shown in this board book all about Easter celebrations. Tomie dePaola’s bright illustrations and easy-to-follow text explain the traditions associated with this special holiday. Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco Old Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose. She names the goose Rechenka, and they live happily together until one day when Rechenka accidentally overturns a basket, breaking all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs. But the next morning Babushka has a surprise awaiting her in the basket. She cries: "A miracle!" It is one of many in this charmingly told tale of friendship and caring. With vibrant illustrations, Patricia Polacco has joyously re-created the flavor of Old Moscow and its festivals. The eggs, stunningly colored and intricately designed, are authentic reproductions of eggs painted in the Ukrainian style. Rechenka's Eggs is a timeless story of classic beauty.

The Feast of St. Mark is almost here! Saint Mark was a follower of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Mark. He was a companion of the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter and is believed to have been a close associate of these two key figures in the early Christian church. According to tradition, Mark was born in Jerusalem and was the son of the woman who owned the house where the Last Supper occurred as well as where the Holy Spirit fell on Pentecost. He was a disciple of Peter and is said to have accompanied Peter to Rome and to have served as his secretary, writing down Peter's teachings and sermons. It is believed that these sermons became the foundation for the Gospel of Mark. Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and traveled with Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. For some reason, Mark left them and returned home which greatly angered Paul. The rift between Paul and Mark was later healed and Mark became a close companion to Paul. St. Mark later traveled to Alexandria where he founded the Church of Alexandria. He became the first bishop of Alexandria and is considered the father of Christianity in Africa. He was martyred in AD 68. St. Mark is depicted writing his gospel, with a palm symbolizing martyrdom or as a winged lion. The winged lion comes from the prophecy of Ezekiel 1:10 where it is believed that the four evangelists are described. Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. Mark Read Acts 15:37-39 and Colossians 4:10. Notice the difference in how Paul feels about Mark. Discuss why Paul might have changed towards Mark. Talk about the reconciliation that occurs when we follow Jesus and are submitted to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Put out red roses or give each child a red rose. In Venice, St. Mark’s Day is also known as Festa del Bocolo or The Rosebud Festival. According to legend, a man of low social standing fell in love with a noblewoman from Venice. In order to win her father's approval, he became involved in a distant war. He was mortally wounded in battle but managed to pluck a rose from a nearby rosebush for his loved one. A companion was entrusted with returning the blood-stained rose to his lover. On this day, men traditionally give a single rosebud to the women they love . Make Risi e Bisi. Risi e Bisi or Rice and Peas is the traditional Venetian food for the day. Since Palm branches represent martyrdom, decorate your table with palm branches Risi e Bisi (Rice and Peas) A traditional dish for the Feast of St. Mark 4 cups chicken broth 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 8 slices of bacon 2 cloves garlic, chopped  1 rounded cup Arborio rice  Salt and pepper  1 cup frozen peas  1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano cheese Mint or parsley, chopped Place chicken stock in a small pot and warm over low heat. In a heavy saucepan, add the oil and onion and cook until it begins to soften. Add the bacon and cook for another five minutes or so, until it begins to release its fat. Add garlic. Sauté garlic for 1 minute. Stir in the rice and cook until all the grains are well coated with fat and begin to look translucent, then turn up the heat a little and add a ladleful of stock.  Bring to a bubble. Stir rice occasionally, allowing the rice to get starchy and the stock to cook into the rice. Add more stock when the rice starts to become dry. Continue stirring and ladling broth until the rice is al dente, 22 minutes. Stir in peas and cheese and season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top with the herbs. Serve immediately.

We are now in the season of Easter or Eastertide! Jesus’ resurrection is so amazing, so pivotal in the life of the Church that an entire season is devoted to it rather than just a single day. Eastertide begins with the Great Vigil of Easter and concludes 50 days later with Christ's Ascension and the birth of the Church on Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the 50 days of Easter as one enormous feast or one enormous Sunday. There is absolutely no fasting allowed during this season of rejoicing! For 50 full days, we feast together, sing together and rejoice together in the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Easter Week For Christians around the world, the week after Easter holds special significance. It is a special time to rest and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord. And in many countries around the world, Easter Monday is a holiday. There is no school and everyone takes time to visit with loved ones and to rejoice. Ways to Celebrate Read Luke 24:13-35 . Discuss. What must it have been like to have Jesus appear and start walking with you? Why do you think the followers didn’t recognize Jesus? What stories in the bible do you think Jesus pointed out? Take an Emmaus Walk. On Easter Monday, we remember the Emmaus walk story. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus has died and two grief-stricken followers have left Jerusalem and are walking back to their hometown. A man begins walking with them and asks why they are so sad. The followers explain to the mystery man that a man they had followed and believed to be the Messiah was killed. The mystery man begins to walk the followers through the scriptures, showing them how Jesus’ death had been foretold and what it had accomplished. The followers pause their journey for a meal, they invite the mystery man to join them, the mystery man takes the bread offered to him, offers it up to God, breaks it, blesses it, and suddenly, the followers see clearly who the mystery man really is...it is Jesus! But just as they realize who the mystery man really is, Jesus disappears. The followers run all the way back to Jerusalem, telling everyone that they have seen the Risen Savior! Play an egg-cracking game . Easter Monday is also the day to play egg-cracking games. The rule of the game is simple. One person holds a hard-boiled egg and taps the hard-boiled egg of another participant with one's own egg intending to break the other's, without breaking one's own. There are variations of the game around the world. In Switzerland, you need only one egg instead of two. Usually, the adults try to break their children's decorated eggs with a twenty-cent coin. If the coin cracks the eggshell and sticks in the egg, the adult claims the egg. On the other hand, the child claims the coin if the adult fails to crack the egg. In many other countries, a nail is used to crack the egg rather than a coin. The nail symbolizes the nails used to crucify Christ. Learn about the significance of eggs as a symbol of Easter . Make incredible Easter desserts like Strawberry Shortcake . For the rest of the first week of Easter, really try to rest, feast, and celebrate the resurrection of the Lord! A blessed Eastertide and a blessed Easter Monday to you!

Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! The Christian Passover or Pasha is the high point of our Christian year. It should be the most joyful and jubilant celebration of the entire year. Because of Christ, we celebrate deliverance from evil and death and redemption into new life with Christians all over the world. We have been redeemed and will live forever with Christ, our King. This one day is the fulfillment of our entire liturgy. Every Sunday celebrates this day. This day is the gospel message that we preach to the world! As we enter the church, we are amazed at the beauty and the splendor! The church that was stripped bare on Maundy Thursday and remained so through Good Friday and Holy Saturday has now been adorned. The altar is gloriously vested in gold and white, all crosses are uncovered and Easter lilies spill out from around the altar. We hear music again as well as the triumphant Alleluias! All of this is done to signify and proclaim the joy and hope that we share as followers of Christ! Jesus our Savior has risen from the dead! As we hear God’s holy Word and celebrate his Sacraments, we, as the Church, share in Christ’s victory over death. Our long fast has ended and the joyful feast has come! Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Ways to Celebrate Easter Easter is here and “Alleluia” is said once again! Greet your family with the traditional Easter greeting, “Alleluia. Christ is risen”. To which they respond, “The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Alleluia is the Latin form of the Hebrew Hallelujah. The first part of that word is Hallel . It’s the greatest expression of praise for God in Hebrew. The last part of the word is Jah  and means God. So Hallelujah is the greatest expression of praise to God. Christians have greeted each other with these words on Easter Day since the very beginning of the Church. Teach these words to your children to mark the occasion.  Have the exchange of Alleluias  with your children and then give them their Easter baskets. If you made Resurrection Cookies, pull them out of the oven and conclude the devotional. Make your home a proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus. Remove all purple cloths from your icons and crosses. Bring out the Alleluia board that was hidden away during Lent and hang it in a prominent place in your home. Make a huge Easter wreath full of spring flowers and fill your home with flowers. Attend the Easter Sunday service at your Church. This is the holiest and most important day of the Christian year. It is the day that we celebrate Christ’s glorious resurrection and our deliverance from death into new and unending life with him. After church, celebrate the resurrection with a huge feast. Serve all of your special foods on your best dishes. Make this an occasion for your family to cherish! Light lots of white candles around your home and on your dining table. Remember to keep all work to a minimum. Try to keep the day as stress-free as possible so that you may relax and enjoy this ultimate feast with your family. Have an Easter Egg Hunt. Because Easter was not celebrated until Easter Sunday, Easter egg hunts were on Easter Sunday right after the church service.  Easter Season or Eastertide Jesus’ resurrection is so amazing, so pivotal in the life of the Church that an entire season is devoted to it rather than just a single day of observance. Easter Season or Eastertide begins with the celebration at the Great Vigil of Easter and concludes fifty days later with the birth of the Church on Pentecost Sunday. We celebrate the fifty days of Easter as one enormous feast! If you would like to continue in the celebration, my guidebook, The Liturgical Home: Easter , provides everything you need to know to continue celebrating Easter in your home!

Today is Holy Saturday. Jesus, the hope of so many people, had been brutally crucified and buried on Good Friday. The anguish his followers must have felt. The shock. The devastation. The man that had radically changed their lives, which they believed was their Savior was gone. The disbelief and utter horror they must have felt on Holy Saturday. Yet we know now, through holy scripture, that this is the day Jesus descended to the land of the dead where the Gospel message was preached. Jesus’ saving works continued and the world had no idea. On Holy Saturday we are suspended between the world of darkness, sin, and death and the new world of light and resurrection. We remember the anguish the followers of Jesus felt on this day but it is hard to contain our excitement because we know what tomorrow holds - the most glorious day of all - the day that Our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and defeated death forever! Ways to celebrate : Read Matthew 27:57-66 . Discuss. Why do you think Joseph of Arimathea allowed Jesus to be buried in his tomb? Why do you think Mary Magdalene and Mary waited outside the tomb? How do you think they felt as they waited? What were the Pharisees afraid was going to happen to the body of Jesus? What did Pilate do to keep this from happening? Get ready for Easter. Dye your Easter eggs using natural dyes . Get all of your church clothes ready for the Great Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday. Cook up some traditional Easter foods like an Easter Lamb Cake , Greek Easter Bread (Tsoureki) , Strawberry Shortcake , or this decadent Hashbrown Casserole . Make Resurrection Cookies with your family. Resurrection Cookies are meringue cookies with special interactive steps and scriptures to walk your family through the death and resurrection of Jesus. You bake the cookies in a warm oven overnight and when your children try them on Easter morning, they will find that the cookies are “empty” just like Jesus’ tomb! Resurrection Cookies After supper, preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Then assemble the ingredients for the Resurrection cookies. 3 eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vinegar 1 cup of sugar pinch of salt 1 cup of pecans A Bible Place pecans in a plastic baggie and let your children beat them with a wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain to them 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 teaspoon of vinegar into a mixing bowl. Explain to them that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was only given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30. Add egg whites to vinegar. Explain to them that eggs represent life and 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 to them 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 of sugar. Explain to them that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because of his great love for us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain to them 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 parchment paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain to them 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 to seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66. Explain to them that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20-22. Now, go to bed. When you wake up the next morning it’s Easter! 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’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matthew 28:1-9 and rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection!