Easter is really difficult to explain to children. I spent all day today at my brother's house, so I got to talk to my 3-year-old niece (RM) about Easter.

Me: RM, what do we celebrate on Easter?
RM: JESUS!!
Me: Yup, we celebrate Jesus every day. What happened on Easter, though? What did Jesus do?
RM: I don't know.
Me: He rose from the dead.

She accepted this without question. When I mentioned that He died and then rose again, she pointed to the crucifix on the wall and said, "There's Jesus, dying." But when she asked why there are palms in the house and I told her the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem, she refused to believe that. "No!" was all I got.

Of course, the reason for her acceptance of the miracle of Easter was simple. She doesn't understand death.

My brother: RM, what do we celebrate on Easter?
RM: Jesus!
My brother: Yes, but what did Jesus do on Easter?
RM: He rose from the dead!
My sister-in-law: Do you know what dead means?
RM: Yeah, it's when you step on things. (Meaning bugs).

To be able to explain the miracle and joy of Easter to someone, you have to be able to explain death to them.

To be able to appreciate Jesus's resurrection, we first have to understand His death. We have to understand our own death, our own sin, and the need for redemption. Without sin, without death, without redemption, there is no Easter.

Just as we have died with Christ in baptism, so also we will rise with Him to everlasting life. But how will we ever rise if we do not know we have died?

I'm praying for you!

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen, Alleluia :)