Easter Mountain

This year we decided to start a new Easter tradition- one we've been looking forward to doing for a few years now. We got the idea from Noel Piper's book "Treasuring God in our Traditions" and have seen our friends the Kaneversky family do this activity with their kids in years past. It's called "Easter Mountain."

You make a big 'ol lump of dough and shape it into a mountain. You make a little cave in the front and put holes in the top for stick crosses too. Then you bake it and paint it. You also make the aforementioned stick crosses, and lots of little pipecleaner people. Each day of the passion week you use the mountain and the people to act out the events of the day.

Here we are, after making and baking; painting the mountain (OK, more of a hill, but it will work).


While the paint was wet, we got some dirt and rubbed it on top to make it realistic. In front of the mountain is our stone- ready for action on the right day! We poked little holes all over the mountain so we could stick in the legs of our little people and they can stand up.









So today's activity to act out was Jesus' triumphal entry. Here is our Jesus, riding the Donkey from our Resurrection Eggs. He wasn't near the mountain for this picture because it's paint was still drying. :)










As we meditated on the triumphal entry today, we couldn't help but think it wasn't really that triumphal. What a sad day for our Lord, to enter the city He loved and have the crowds cheering for Him, knowing they would reject and kill him in just a few days. Entering the temple, His Father's house, and seeing it filled with "robbers," then crying over the city. It just makes us more thankful for His sacrifice for us and gives us even more to celebrate on Easter morning.

Also this week, we will be spending some family worship time using the Resurrection Eggs and a book called "Benjamin's Box" that goes with them. Addie loves opening the egg(s) each night and talking about what is in them. There are other activities we'll be using too, to help us focus and worship during such a special week. We'll try to post a daily update on the activities on Easter Mountain so you all can follow along!

If you'd like to make your own Easter Mountain, the instructions are posted here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/554_make_a_playdough_mountain/