Good Friday is one of the most important holy observations in the Christian faith.
As part of the Passion of Christ, it is the time of year that people celebrate as a renewal and the starting of a new life. Because it coincides with the beginning of spring, child care programs often hold celebrations outside.
Good Friday is the beginning of a celebration that lasts three days. Making sure children are included in the gatherings and church services, is important, if you expect them to maintain the sanctity of the holiday.
There are several ways you can include children and allow them to enjoy the celebration:
The Gospel Is Meant for the Entire Community to Share and Celebrate The Gospel was written to be shared with those around us. Easter is the perfect time to include children. Parents can use the Easter holiday celebrations to teach their children about the religious significance of the Passion of Christ and the Easter holiday.
By reading the Bible, sharing the stories and proclaiming one's faith, a parent can teach their children by being a living example of what a true Christian really is.
Teaching the gospel in child care programs is important. Reading the stories and discussing the meaning of holidays at an early age allows them to develop an appreciation for their faith when they are young.
Jesus Is Our Salvation Good Friday and Easter show children the truth behind the statement that Jesus is our salvation. When we include children in the holiday celebrations at church and in our community, we can teach them the importance of Easter, and how it is related to the death and resurrection of Christ.
Religious celebrations of the Easter holiday involves following Christ's path as he walked through his final days. Christ's death and resurrection symbolizes our own death as sinners, and our rebirth as Christians who have been saved through His sacrifice.
If There Was No Good Friday, There Would Be No Church Good Friday and Easter establish the foundations of the Church. With the disciples at his side, Christ works to create a group of people who will continue to spread His word after he is gone.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the disciples responsible for first telling the story of the passion, Christ's death and resurrection. They spread the word of love and forgiveness, so that others would know who Christ was and his place in the Church.
Good Friday Readies Us for Easter Good Friday readies us for the celebration of Easter. While some people look for Easter eggs and are excited about visits from the Easter bunny, Christians are sharing their faith with their family and friends.
The stories behind the Stations of the Cross explain what happened on the day of Christ's crucifixion. Not only does it explain the steps Christ took, it also explains why they were needed to ensure our salvation. Without each step, Christ's death and resurrection would not have been enough to forgive our sins and save our souls.
Child care programs can help prepare children for the Easter holiday by including stories about Christ and the Passion.
While it is alright to hunt for Easter eggs and color pictures of the Easter bunny, it is important for teachers to address the fact that those are more associated with the beginning of spring and that Christ is the true reason for the season.
Easter Helps Us to Understand the Meaning of the Cross Easter is a holiday that promises renewal and salvation. It is also a very healing time. The Cross represents our struggles and that sometimes it is necessary for us to go through terrible trials before we can appreciate what true forgiveness and salvation really is.
From Mardi Grass to Palm Sunday and on to Good Friday and Easter, the path of the Cross is recreated in great detail to explain to us that Christ loved us so much that he was willing to do anything to ensure our salvation.
Teachers who work in child care programs can build entire portions of curriculum about the meaning of Easter and what role the Cross plays.
See Also: Time to Celebrate: 6 Exciting Easter Party Games for Children