Colors of Redemption

Pictured: Twin Falls Temple's Angle Moroni, gathering disciples for Christ's return.

Easter’s such a happy time--

A holy celebration.

The treats and colors of today

Can teach me more about salvation.

BLUE is the earth created by God

For us to enjoy and explore.

At the time of creation, a plan was in place

To cleanse our mistakes with a Savior.

Genesis 3:15

ORANGE is like a blaze of fire;

A guiding pillar through the night.

We look to Christ; we follow Christ.

He is our soul’s delight.

Luke 1:47

Exo 13:21

The WHITE heralds the scripture

That was spoken long ago:

Though your sins may be as scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18 

GREEN leaves grow new at springtime,

Like green palm leaves on the ground,

Made a carpet for our Savior

As He entered into town.

Matthew 21:8-9

Then Christ, at the Last Supper,

Filled a cup with PURPLE wine;

A sacrament reminder

Of His sacrifice divine.

Matthew 26:26-28

Isaiah 63:2-3 

Not a bone broke in His body

Though He bled from every pore;

RED blood of lamb, firstborn and pure

The faithful paint above their door.

John 19:32-34

Exodus 12:7 & 13 

The earthy BROWN sealed dark and shut

Represents three days

When promises afore-time made

Seemed now to be delayed.

Matthew 27:59-61

The bright, triumphant YELLOW

Never doubting, faithful friend:

Rising Christ, like rising sun

Always with us to the end.

Malachi 4:2

Matthew 28

This poem origionated as a children's book from the library when our oldest was a toddler, but took on a life of its own as I added verses and dimension from my heart. In order for kids to fully appreciate it, I find it beneficial to remind them of certain scripture stories first. This could be right before Easter Sunday, or slowly over weeks at a time.

How do we present it? We like to do this on Easter Sunday, before our egg hunt. The actual reading of the poem happens one verse at a time, while we piece together a picture and savor the treat that accompanies each color.

First, treat prep: when we shop for Easter goodies, we buy something for each color of the poem.

• Peeps or jelly beans can cover most colors. We find blue, yellow, and white peeps to be necessesities.
• Orange: this one represents fire, so spicy peach tajin candies are a good fit. Dried mangos are also a favorite.
• Green: We like making apple leather with green dye because we can cut it to look like leaves. You could also do this with storebought green fruit leather.
• Purple: because it represents wine, we like getting grape drink mixes. We've also been known to employ our own homemade grape juice here.
• Red: we like to save cinnamon hearts from valentine's day for this one.
• Brown: obviously chocolate. Cadbury caramel eggs or homemade reeses are favorites.

Puzzle prep: find a favorite picture of Christ (an old calendar or church magazine is a good place to start). Mount it on cardstock if necessary. Cut it into nine pieces. Print the poem, cut out each verse, and glue one verse on the back of each puzzle piece.

Final prep: One treat per child is packed into a small paper bag, along with the puzzle piece connected with that color (the first verse won't have a candy--start with that one and go in order found in poem). Place a matching tissue paper over all, and set the "gifts" under your Easter tree if you have one.

Now the kids get to take turns unwrapping presents! With each gift a treat is enjoyed, a verse is savored, and His picture unveils. 

You can use the coloring page in the printable to have young kids organize their easter treats by color.

This pet project of mine is one of my favorite parts of Easter because I created it. It comes from my heart, and for that reason it seems to carry a testament of its own for us. We've found that when our celebrations take on a personal flair, they are that much more rewarding. Get creative as you adopt ideas that resound the most with you!