Australia has a rabbit problem.  Rabbits are not a native species.  Domestic rabbits arrived with the First Fleet in 1788 as a source of food.  European rabbits arrived in 1859 and were released for hunting.  Rabbits are now a feral pest causing significant economic and environmental damage.  In my home state of Queensland, rabbits are banned, and it is an offence to keep any variety as a pet.  As I walk through supermarkets and shopping centres, I can’t help but feel Easter bunnies are out of control, too!

There are chocolate bunnies, of course, but increasingly carved, flocked, woven and ceramic bunnies in all shapes and sizes to decorate homes.  Every shop is filled to the brim with bunnies and eggs.  It’s autumn in the Southern hemisphere.  I realise spring’s arrival and Easter are celebrated together in the Northern hemisphere, and especially so by those who have endured a long, harsh winter.  But Easter has become a commercial concern.

Growing up in a strict Pentecostal home, my brother, sisters, and I were not given any kind of chocolate at Easter, which was considered pagan by my parents.  There were some Christians who participated because they said chicks and eggs represented new life, which tied into Jesus’ death and resurrection.  I don’t remember feeling upset when I was a child.  We accepted our parents’ stance, and Easter was not as commercial back then.  If I’m honest, my feelings of missing out came when I was an adult and looking back on my childhood.  I think this is something many of us do when we become parents and determine to do things differently.  So we gave our children Easter Eggs and Bunny Rabbits.   My Mum, as a grandma, gave them a chocolate treat each, too.  I think she was worried she had deprived her children and was less legalistic about it by then.

Over the years, more and more Easter decor appeared in our home, especially with the arrival of our grandchildren.  Bunting, baskets and bunnies were on display until my husband and I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  The pendulum had swung way too far!  Now we have none.  We still give our grandchildren a little something (I like to think I’m balanced!), but the focus is on Jesus and what He did for us by dying on the cross for the sins of the world.  Please understand I’m not sitting in judgment on anyone and how they celebrate Easter.  This was the right decision for us.   

I have only ever used one type of egg in my Kid’s Church Ministry, and that’s plastic ones!  The hollow kind that can be opened to reveal an aspect of the Easter story.  The lesson is commonly known as Resurrection Eggs.  I did my version and called it ‘Easter, the Inside Story’.  It’s a wonderful object lesson, particularly if you have unchurched kids or are teaching RI or a Kid’s Club. 

You’ll find the lesson here:https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Easter-The-Inside-Story.pdf

YouTube video of the same lesson here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJP7nhbSoNo&t=70s

There are 11 Easter stories on the Cooee Kid’s website: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/special-occasions-2/easter/

I hope you don’t face a rabbit plague this Easter!  But rather that you and your children will keep Jesus the focus of this most important celebration.