Have you ever wondered why we use eggs to celebrate Easter? Eggs have actually been used for centuries to celebrate the rebirth of nature in the spring, as a symbol of fertility, and the rebirth of Christ at Easter with His Resurrection from the dead. The egg is also a symbol of the empty garden tomb.

When I traveled to Romania to adopt our daughter, Errin, I was given a gift before we left to come home from the wonderful man who made it possible for us to get her – Val Cocariu. Val is a ministering angel here upon the earth! He sacrificed so much to help the orphan children of Romania to have a better life. He is a “Light Giver”!

After I returned home, I learned more about these eggs from a Hungarian grandfather I met at our daughter, Steph’s, gymnastic classes. He told me how they are made and shared with me how he had learned to make them in his home country, and was teaching his grand-daughters how to make them as well. I LOVE how these eggs are made using an intricate art form handed down from generation to generation in Eastern European countries. Family is everything no matter where you live in the world!!!

In Ukrainian, the word “Pysanka” means “to write” or “to inscribe”. Pysanky are traditional hand-painted eggs made during the Easter season. Traditionally real eggs are used, with a small hole made in each end to blow the inside of the egg out. They are carefully rinsed, allowed to dry, and then ready to be painted or dyed. Pysanky makers use a wax-resist method, similar to batik on fabric, using a pin-like stylus to draw intricate designs in hot beeswax on each egg. The wax prevents color from adhering to the egg. Then wax and dye are applied in alternating layers from light to dark colors. One egg can take many hours to complete. These beautiful eggs are decorated with traditional folk designs as well as Christian symbols.

Most of the time chicken eggs are used. But my friend gave me some close to 30 years ago that a Czech friend of hers made using goose eggs.

I put my goose eggs out every year, and they still look just they did the day I got them in the mail!

The colors of these eggs have not faded at all.

Red is a popular color for these eggs, but they come in many different varieties. I also have one from Moldova that is green, white and black.

I have one egg my sister brought me home from Israel. The intricate star design on it is made by the placement of tiny glass seed beads! From far away it resembles a Pysanky egg, however the decorating process is obviously different.

She brought me another egg that has a hand-beaded lace design on it in green from Russia.

Last week was Spring Break for my grandkids. I had two of them come and stay overnight and they each worked on their own individual Easter Tree.

Three others came a couple days later and made their own little trees as well.

They decorated a ceramic pot (picked up from the plant nursery) using cut up squares of tissue paper dipped in a diluted solution of Elmer’s Glue and water.

Once their pot was dry, we poked an artificial birch tree branch (Amazon) into floral foam hot-glued inside the pot. Then they were able to make Easter Egg Ornaments to tie onto their trees.

Each one chose their favorite color of crinkled paper Easter grass (Hobby Lobby) as the finishing touch to add more color, and to cover up the foam inside the pot.

We didn’t tackle the intricate Pysanky eggs, however the meaning behind the ornaments is the same. I LOVE how each little tree shows their different personalities, and the LIGHT within them!!!

I LOVE how my “littles” enjoy crafting, and learning about the reasons we celebrate different sacred holidays.

Most kids today don’t even know why we celebrate Easter!!! It’s not all about chicks, bunnies and chocolate eggs – although those are fun and do have their place. Like Christmas, Easter too has more meaning than presents under the tree on Christmas morning or Easter baskets brimming with toys and candy. Just as we celebrate Christmas with the birth of our Savior, we also celebrate Easter with His re-birth and Resurrection. Without His Atoning Sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross on Golgotha, we would not have the promise of everlasting eternal life! At Christmastime we celebrate His birth with twinkling Christmas lights that symbolize the light He gives. The star we put on the top of our Christmas tree reminds us of the star that appeared in the sky over Bethlehem. We also celebrate His LIGHT at Easter. This is why Easter is one of my most favorite holidays of the year, maybe even more than Christmas! Jesus Christ has many names and titles. One of them is “Light of the World.” He taught, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.” (John 8: 12)

This week begins the Christian world’s celebration of Holy Week. As I think about the displacement of so many Ukrainian refugees, I am reminded of the fact that evil people may be able to take away their homes, but no one can take away their traditions. Traditions are tucked safely away inside our hearts, and both are filled with LIGHT! If they don’t have the supplies to make their Pysanky eggs, they can at least talk about them, holding their traditions and light-filled memories of loved ones close. Take some time to sit down with those you love, thank Heavenly Father for the blessings in our lives, and talk about the deeper meaning of this Easter holiday of salvation!!! Just as we count down the days until Christmas, may we also do something each day this week as we count down the days until Easter. And remember the LIGHT He brings into our lives! Happy Easter!!!

Love Ya, Les ☺

Faith

The Spiritual Meaning Of Easter Eggs – He Is The LIGHT!