I married into a wonderful family, I have great in-laws that I love to death. Last year, my mother-in-law gathered all the grandchildren around and shared this message.

Jesus Christ suffered in the garden of Gethsemane and was crucified for the sins of the world so that all might be able to do better and to live again.

When he died, they removed his body from the cross, wrapped him in linen, and brought spices and ointments for his burial ( see John 19:39, Luke 23:56, Mark 16:1, and John 19: 40).

They laid him in the sepulcher and rolled a large stone to cover it.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Christ, came to anoint him, but found the stone was rolled away. And the tomb was empty. Angels there proclaimed, “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified; He is risen; he is not here” (see Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6)

He rose on the Sabbath, the third day. (see Luke 24:7)

• He is risen! He is risen!
• Tell it out with joyful voice.
• He has burst the three days prison
• Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
• Death is conquered; man is free.
• Christ has won the victory.


• Text: Cecil Frances Alexander 1818-1895

I belt this song with all my heart. I just looked it up to get the words right and couldn’t help singing it myself. This message is one of the most glorious!

To tie it in to a fun activity you can do as adults or children, take a marshmallow. Explain that it represents Christ, sinless and pure.

Roll the marshmallow in butter, representing the ointments, and cinnamon sugar, representing spices.

Place a thawed, but still cold, uncooked dinner roll or refrigerated biscuit, either will work, around the marshmallow. Make sure it is pinched tightly and try not to get butter on the edges or it won’t seal. This represents the linen. Roll the dough in cinnamon sugar once more.

Place the roll in the oven, representing the tomb. Let the rolls cook for the amount of time the package calls for, until golden brown. This represents the three days Christ’s body laid in the sepulcher.

When the timer goes off, open the oven door (representing the stone rolled away).

Open your roll, what do you see? The marshmallow is gone. It is empty. Just like when they found the tomb empty.

The miracle of the missing marshmallow? It melts into the dough while baking. The miracle of the resurrection? Hope.

Invite a friend or share this message (and treat) with them. It is such a beautiful message, especially in this time of the world when there is so much sadness. It brings so much comfort to me to know that the Lord lives again and that I will too. What hope! It keeps me smiling through the day and helps me get on my feet again when I am down. I hope you remember Christ this Easter season, and the truthfulness of his resurrection. We can see those who have passed on again! How beautiful and gracious of our Lord!