If you’re reading this shortly after it posted, you’re probably thinking “it’s not April, Miss Sarah.” I know. But if I waited until the first Monday of the month this year, the holiday would have already passed and I didn’t think you’d like that.

This is our fourth craft of the year and the information and project shared here are written for young children. Happy crafting.

I’m so happy it’s spring. The trees are getting green leaves, the daffodils are blooming, and even the roses in the garden blossoming. (I live in California, where do you live? Are the flowers in your area blooming yet?)

Well, in the spring, there’s a very special holiday. You might call it Easter, but in my family, we call it Resurrection Day. Why? Because it’s the day we remember that Jesus rose from the dead. Let me tell you about it.

History

Almost 2,000 years ago God sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. (Do you remember hearing about Baby Jesus at Christmas time?) Jesus grew up and He lived a sinless life – that means he never did anything bad. He was perfect. Jesus taught people about God, healed sick people, and blessed the children.

On the day we remember and call Good Friday, Jesus died on a cross to pay for the sins of all who will repent and believe He is the only way to God. He died and was buried in a tomb. Do you know what a tomb is? It’s like a big cave. But I’m so happy to tell you that’s not the end of the story.

Let’s read from the Bible and see what happened next:

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ” And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven [apostles] and the rest. Luke 24:1-9, NKJV

Jesus wasn’t there. He was alive!

Christians – people who believe and obey Jesus –  started celebrating his resurrection with worship and fellowship. Through the years the holiday changed and now many people have added other traditions.

Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is when we celebrate and remember that Jesus is alive and we have hope and joy through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection.

Craft

Butterflies are beautiful creatures. We usually see them in the spring and they are often a symbol of new life. Maybe you would like to add a Scripture verse to your page. (I wrote “Rejoice” – that word means “return to your source of joy.”)

We’re going to make a butterfly using a mosaic technique. The ancient Roman era was during Jesus’s lifetime and the Romans made beautiful mosaics on the floors and walls of their homes. So we’ll combine an ancient art form from Jesus’s era and some modern supplies to make our craft today.

What You’ll Need:

Cardstock

About an 1/8 to a 1/4 cup of pre-cut paper pieces (Cut a variety of colored papers into small squares, approximately 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch)

Butterfly design Available for Free Download Here

Crayons

Pen (optional)

Glue

Table cover

Directions:

Begin by opening the file with the Butterfly design available from Gazette665. Print this PDF document on your sheet of cardstock.

Lay out your protective table covering (we’re getting out the glue in a minute).

Color the butterfly’s body – black, brown, or gray. I chose black.

Next put a little bit of glue on about half of a wing section. Kind of swirl it as you go. A little glue goes a long way on this project.

Stick the colored paper on the glue. If the paper overlaps a little, that’s fine. Try not to have any big open white spaces on your butterfly wings. Be creative. Make patterns or be random with the colors. Continue putting glue and paper on the wings until they are nicely covered.

Let the project dry.

If you like, use a colored pen and write a word, phrase, or scripture verse on your page.

Happy Resurrection Day!