Counting Down to Easter!

My dear friend Kerri from Jax shared this idea with me a few years back.  I finally came across the instructions on how to create one myself instead of buying a "kit."  It just so happened that I used up the last egg in the carton today and we had a bunch of plastic eggs from yesterday's egg hunt so I figured it was as good a time as any to create my Countdown to Easter!  I looked up the scripture to go along with what is inside each egg.  You could always change them to a different gospel if you don't like the ones I chose. 

Inside the carton, I labeled the eggs #1-12 and included the instruction sheet to reference the verses.  You could type up the verses with the symbolism and put them inside the eggs, but I prefer the kids see us read from the Bible instead and then discuss the symbolism.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Countdown To Easter:
Using 12 plastic eggs that can be opened and filled, either you give a basket with all 12 eggs (label each with the number of the day, i.e. Day 12, Day 11) , or give one egg each day to be opened. (Day 1 is "Easter Day", so start 11 days before Easter with "Day 12")

Day 12 = Place a cracker or small piece of cracker inside the first egg with a slip of paper explaining how this symbolizes the bread & wine of the Last Supper.  Matt 26:26

Day 11 = Place 3 dimes to symbolize the "30 pieces of silver" that Judus received to betray Jesus.  Matt 26:14-16

Day 10 = Place a toy soldier or picture of a soldier to symbolize the soldier who arrested Jesus. Matt 26:51

Day 9 = Place a "feather" to symbolize the cock rooster that crowed 3 times.  Matt 26:31-35

Day 8 = Place a die or a couple of dice to symbolize the "lots that were cast" for Jesus's clothing.  Luke 23:32-34

Day 7 = Place a "thorn" in to symbolize the "crown of thorns" that Jesus wore.  Matt 27:27-31

Day 6 = Place a "sponge" in to symbolize the sponge that was dipped in vinegar when Jesus said, "I thirst".  Matt 27:47-49

Day 5 = Place a "piece of cloth" in to symbolize the cloth that Joseph wrapped the body of Jesus in.  John 20:6-8

Day 4 = Place a "piece of black paper or black cloth" into the egg to symbolize the "shadow of darkness" that covered the Earth.  Matt 27:45-46

Day 3 = Place a "cross" inside to symbolize the cross on which Jesus was crucified.  Mark 15:21-32

Day 2 = Place a "rock" inside the egg to symbolize the stone that was rolled away.  Mark 16:1-5

Day 1 = EASTER MORNING! This egg will be "empty" to symbolize the tomb that was empty, that Jesus was "risen" !!  Mark 16:6

Hope you all enjoy this Easter season and remember that we should be celebrating more than bunnies and chocolate!