why do we color eggs at Easter

Ideas for Day Five of Passion Week

“If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:35

Read about the full day Jesus had as His impending death was fast approaching on Day Five of Passion Week.

During His Last Supper that evening, His disciples were arguing about who would have the greatest positions.  He settled the argument by washing their feet and demonstrating that the greatest among them truly was the Servant of all.  (We might use this the next time there’s an argument over who gets to sit where, etc.  Say, ‘the one with the servant attitude will have the favor’)

Read the story from a children’s Bible.  If you don’t have one yet, I recommend several here. This picture is taken from My Awesome God Bible Storybook .

Act out the story.

Follow Jesus’ example. Wash each other’s feet.  All day long talk about and look for ways to serve one another.

Color Eggs. Tell your children you are serving them by boiling the eggs for them to color.  Then as you color them, talk about why eggs are colored at Easter time.

  • Eggs represent new life which can remind us of the new life Christ Jesus gives us by what He did on the Cross for us.   Share this scripture: When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! – 2 Cor. 5:17 (Living)
  • The colored eggs remind us of how beautiful our world is as the earth comes back to life again with colorful flowers, new leaves, and green grass in the Spring as all creation seems to rejoice that Jesus is alive (Matt. 28:6)! Share these scripture:
    Jesus makes all things new.     Revelation 21:5
    God gives us all things to enjoy. 1 Tim. 6:17
    All Your works shall praise You, O Lord . . . Psalm 145:10


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Keeping Jesus in Easter – Coloring Eggs

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Jesus makes all things new.
Revelation 21:5

(Easter is the time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, but this message can get lost in the traditional Easter activities or the coming of Spring.  We can use these tangible things to help children understand intangible ideas.)

Eggs have been recognized in most ages and cultures as a symbol of new life.  This caused ancient Rome, Egypt, and Persia to use eggs in celebration of Spring when new life appears on the earth.

Another reason for eggs being special at Spring is because after a long winter food was scare and a fresh egg was a treat.  A reason for boiling the eggs could be because in Medieval Europe, eggs were not eaten during Lent and fresh eggs were boiled or preserved in some manor until it was permissible to eat them.

Christians in the Middle East and in Greece painted eggs bright red to symbolize the blood of Christ.  King Edward I of England had eggs gold leafed or colored as Easter gifts.   In Armenia, hollow eggs were created by piercing the ends with a pin and blowing out the egg. They were then decorated with pictures of Christ and the Virgin Mary.  The most elaborate decorating was in Poland and Ukraine.  This is where the writing on the egg with a wax crayon before coloring it began.  It is called pysanky.

Share with your children these possible reasons behind the coloring of eggs.  Relate it all to the Bible verse above – Jesus makes all things new. 

The eggs remind of us of new life like new chicks, birds, and ducks that come from eggs. Talk about the new life we have when we become a Christian. Point out that before coloring, all the eggs look the same, but after coloring, the eggs are all different and unique just like our lives are with Jesus. 

The coloring reminds us of how beautiful the world is as it comes back to life after the winter as new flowers, leaves, and grass appear on the earth. You can talk of how this is a reminder of Jesus coming back to life on that historical Easter morning over 2000 years ago.

Each color can be used to talk about Jesus:

  • Red is for the blood Jesus shed on the cross for us
  • Green is for the grass and trees He made
  • Blue is for the sky and water He made
  • Yellow is for the sun that shines brightly
  • Orange and pink are for the flowers that are blooming 
  • White is for His cleansing us from all our sins by His taking the punishment for us on the cross
  • Purple is a color for kings and Jesus is the King of kings 

Make coloring eggs a family time.  Don’t worry about the mess; allow everyone to be creative as you relate this activity to the new life we have in Christ!!!

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