by Lois Breneman, © 2000, Heart to Heart
My son, Jeff, gave me a crown of thorns that could be very much like the one that was pressed on Jesus head, as he was paying the debt for our sins. One day as I was walking on the treadmill, I gazed for a long time at that crown of thorns on a small table in the room and thought about Jesus dying in my place. It so gripped my heart that it wasn't long before the tears were flowing. That visual aid was so powerful in that moment of quiet meditation.
This year I used that crown of thorns in a mantle decoration in the family room. My husband sawed and nailed together a three foot rugged looking wooden cross for me, and that is in the center of the mantle, with a purple cloth draped on the one side, and the crown of thorns hanging on the other side.
There are other reminders of Jesus' great suffering and sacrifice for us. I have praying hands that my daughter made in Bible school when she was seven years old hanging on one side of the cross, representing Jesus and the disciples praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hearts hang on the other side of the cross. Red jewels are glued to an invisible thread on either side of the cross, representing Jesus' drops of blood.
There is a tomb cut out of construction paper with rocks drawn on, a door cut out, and an actual round garden rock to the side with a ceramic angel (from a nativity scene) standing there. I fastened a small sponge to a stick (without the vinegar on the end) and placed it on the mantle with thirty pieces of silver (quarters, nickels and dimes), a silver cup, several bunches of grapes arranged with a white basket of purple flowers, mauve tulle and pink lilies.
There are other reminders of Jesus' great suffering and sacrifice for us. I have praying hands that my daughter made in Bible school when she was seven years old hanging on one side of the cross, representing Jesus and the disciples praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hearts hang on the other side of the cross. Red jewels are glued to an invisible thread on either side of the cross, representing Jesus' drops of blood.
There is a tomb cut out of construction paper with rocks drawn on, a door cut out, and an actual round garden rock to the side with a ceramic angel (from a nativity scene) standing there. I fastened a small sponge to a stick (without the vinegar on the end) and placed it on the mantle with thirty pieces of silver (quarters, nickels and dimes), a silver cup, several bunches of grapes arranged with a white basket of purple flowers, mauve tulle and pink lilies.
The purple flowers help tie it all together with the purple robe draped on the cross. It sounds like it may be a cluttered mess when you hear of all these items, but it really is not if you balance the items and colors. Just move them around until it looks right to you, if you try this decoration. The cross, purple robe and crown of thorns are the focal point. You may also want to write an appropriate scripture verse for your mantle, if there is room.
We have never taught our children about the "Easter Bunny," but I do think that rabbits, chicks, eggs and other "spring decorations" are appropriate to use in decorating our homes, as we celebrate new life during this season of new beginnings - spring! God certainly gave them to us to enjoy. I love rabbits and our sons have raised many of them when they were young!
But with all the "Easter Bunny" talk around us, it is a good idea to explain to small children that we display bunnies and rabbits only because God gave them to us to enjoy and springtime is when they are hopping everywhere - especially in our gardens!
But with all the "Easter Bunny" talk around us, it is a good idea to explain to small children that we display bunnies and rabbits only because God gave them to us to enjoy and springtime is when they are hopping everywhere - especially in our gardens!
However, let's remember the real meaning of Easter and make an effort to emphasize that aspect in our decorations. A visible display of reminders of Jesus' payment for our sins will have an impact on us, our children and visitors to our home, as we are remember what He went through when He took our place!
Note: Some years since this article was written, I have displayed the cross on our front porch, with a purple cloth draped over it, along with the crown of thorns, which is attached with invisible fishing line. Lavender lilies were also tucked into the decoration.
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