Eunice Kennedy Schriver

Christian Mother,Grandmother,and Parent

“I look at life as a gift of God.
Now that he wants it back
I have no right to complain.”

By: Joyce Cary
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We are all ships returning home
laden with life's experience,
memories of work, good times and sorrows,
each with his special cargo;
And it is our common lot
to show the marks of the voyage,
here a shattered prow, there a patched rigging,
and every hulk turned black
by the unceasing batter of the restless wave.

May we be thankful for fair weather and smooth seas,
and in times of storm have the courage
and patience that mark every good mariner;
And, overall, may we have the cheering hope of joyful meetings,
as our ship at last drops anchor
in the still water of the eternal harbor.

By: Max Ehrmann

The History and Observances of Easter

The History and Observances of Easter

Every year, Christians worldwide celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the Easter season. Contrary to popular belief, however, the celebration of the Easter holiday is not of Christian origin.

The name 'Easter' is derived from the name of the Saxon goddess of Spring, Eastre. According to Pagan beliefs, Eastre's sphere of influence is fertility and renewal. Each year at the Vernal Equinox, a great festival was held to celebrate the coming growing season and the continued fertility of the Earth.

Jews have also celebrated their own springtime festival, Passover, around this time as well. Passover commemorates the end of the Israelite's captivity in Egypt. It is called Passover because when the Angel of Death came for Egypt's first born sons, the Israelites who had lamb's blood on the door were passed over and spared.

Because of the state supported persecution of early Christians, many Christian feasts were celebrated about the same time as Pagan holidays. Easter is no different. While the religious meanings of the different festivals are different, symbols like the egg, rabbit, and the cross are shared.

The egg has always been a symbol of new life and springtime renewal. Children across pre-Christian Europe were given decorated eggs as a symbol of the renewal of springtime. In modern times, children decorate and hide eggs.

The rabbit was the symbol of the goddess Eastre in Pagan Saxony. During the early American period, German settlers brought with them the connection between the Easter holiday and a rabbit. Today, Children believe in the Easter Bunny, who brings candy and gifts on Easter Sunday.

One of the central Christian symbols is the cross. It symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ, but in Pagan Rome, it was a symbol of Roman punishment. Crucifixion was always a favorite method of execution in Roman times, but after the death of Jesus, it became a rallying symbol for early Christians.

The Easter holiday is very old indeed, and it's meaning and symbols have evolved over time. Whether Pagan or Christian, symbols add to the meaning of the holiday, but do not change it.

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms website at Faithful Grannies http://www.faithfulgrannies.com bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience. She holds a degree in Business and is a CMOM.

Article Source: Christian Work At Home Grandparents - CWAHGrandparents.com

Planning a Children's Easter Party

Planning a Children's Easter Party

If you'd like to do more this year for Easter than a traditional egg hunt, consider planning a party as well. Kids love to have fun, play games, and earn prizes while searching for eggs. Here are some ideas for activities you can do to make your party a hit.

Pin the Chick on the Egg
Draw a large egg on a piece of white poster board. Cut it out, decorate it, and pin or tape it to the wall. Mark the center clearly. Let the children draw chicks on construction paper and cut them out. When they are done, fold a piece of tape and stick it to the back of each chick. Blindfold each child in turn and let them see who can tape their chick closest to the center of the egg.

Word Games
Many Easter word games are available on the internet for free. Search for “Easter word games”, and print out a few to photocopy for your guests. These printable pages have activities like word searches and word scrambles that are grouped by age. Give a prize to the winner of each game.

Duck, Duck, Goose!
Have all the children sit in a circle. One child will walk around the circle behind the others tapping each “duck” on the head until they decide which one of their friends will be the “goose”. The “goose” has to get up and chase the first child. If the first child makes it back to the empty spot without being touched, then the second child becomes the new “duck”.

Easter necklaces.
Cut strips from pastel colored construction paper. Show the children how to make chain links. Fold the paper in a circle, dropping a spot of glue or using a glue stick on one end. Then press the two ends together to form a circle. For each new link, fold the paper in a circle around the previous link so they form a chain. When the chain is long enough to fit over the child's head as a necklace,add one more link to join the two ends of the chain.

Treats
Everyone loves fun food. Serve party snacks like little sandwiches, juice, and a small dessert. For a change, use cookie cutters in the shapes of Easter characters to cut the sandwiches. There many fun recipes on sites like http://www.foodnetwork.com/

You don’t need too many activities to keep children happy at a party. Remember, there's also the excitement of the egg hunt to keep them entertained. Have fun making this an Easter to remember!

Article Source: http://www.faithfulgrannies.com

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience.