Before Christians begin celebrating the Easter Triduum, they experienced Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. If you would like to learn more about the complete path to Easter Sunday, Please feel free to read:
PREPARING TO CELEBRATE LENT ON SHROVE TUESDAY
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The holiest three days of the Church’s year is the Easter Triduum. Over these three days, Christian people remember the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Celebrating the Easter Triduum begins the evening of Holy Thursday and concludes the evening of Easter Sunday.
The opportunities for worship and community that take place during the Triduum are:
- Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday)
- Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (Good Friday)
- Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord (Easter Sunday)
The Lord’s Supper, Holy Thursday
The Christian season of Lent (which began on Ash Wednesday) ends the evening of Holy Thursday, also called Maundy Thursday, with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Maundy is a shortened form of the Latin word for command. It is said that Jesus gave his disciples this commandment:
I give you a new commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. (John 13:34 NAB)
Jesus had just finished washing the feet of the disciples and sharing the “Last Supper” with them.
Many churches celebrate Maundy Thursday with communion services and a foot-washing ceremony. These celebrations help Christians reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made and his commandment for us to love and serve others.
After Supper, the Friends travel to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prays. It is here in the garden Jesus is betrayed by his friend, Judas, and handed over to the officials so the Easter story can continue.
Activities for Holy Thursday
- Wash each other’s feet, or attend your Church’s celebration.
- Bake unleavened bread together.
- Prepare a simple Seder Meal at home
- Decorate a plastic wine cup with sharpies (to represent a chalice)
- Attend adoration and “Wait” with Jesus as he asked his disciples to do
Read more about Holy Thursday, also called Maundy Thursday, and get 9 Family Friendly Activities
Good Friday
Before 9 am on what Christians call Good Friday, Jesus was condemned to death.
I have always wondered at the name…it wasn’t so good for Jesus and the other 2 men being crucified on “Good Friday”. However, in order to receive the JOY of Easter, Jesus must die for our sins. We need the crucifixion to have Easter, that’s what makes it ” Good Friday”.
On the first Good Friday, Jesus endured torture and humiliation, was forced to carry his cross (with the help of a stranger, Simon of Cyrene) then was killed by one of the most disgraceful methods of capital punishment known at the time – Crucifixion.
At 3 pm that day he breathed his last breath. He was taken down and laid in the tomb by 6 pm.
Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus’ tomb was guarded by soldiers. When the Sabbath ended at 6 pm that evening, Jesus’ body was treated with spices for the traditional Jewish burial.
Some things you can do together for Good Friday:
- Cut a cross out of cardboard. Glue pennies and other coins to it to remind you of the “price” Jesus paid.
- Observe the three hours of agony (Noon – 3 pm) in silence (Read religious stories, from the bible, etc)
- Pray/Listen to the stations of the cross
- Read the passion story from the bible
Easter Sunday
Everything in Christian doctrine is based on what happened on Easter Sunday.
Early that morning, several women went to the tomb where Jesus was buried. They discovered the large stone covering the entrance had been rolled away. An angel appeared and announced to them:
Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:5-6 NAB)
The Gospels recount Jesus’ appearance at least 5 times on that first Resurrection Sunday. Easter is the Beginning of Christianity!
Looking for more ideas for your Easter Celebration?
HOW TO HOMESCHOOL MY CHILD has 13 ideas for Preparing For Easter
Thank you for including Happy Hive Homeschooling as a small part of celebrating the Easter Triduum!
Source:
https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/what-is-maundy-thursday-11628350.html
https://www.christianity.com/god/jesus-christ/what-s-so-good-about-good-friday.html
https://www.learnreligions.com/holy-week-timeline-700618
Need Easter Themed Activities?
Need a fun EASTER THEMED activity for your homeschool? Hop over to the Happy Hive Shop and grab our Easter/Spring themed Poke Art Pictures. You get 10 different designs in both color and black and white that are perfect for any age! Instructions include how to POKE, PAINT or SEW the designs!
You and your kids can learn how Peeps(R) are made at the Just Born candy factory. Then have fun with a narrative writing activity about a marshmallow bunny and chick that escape from the candy store!
Read an original nonfiction text with an annotation guide. The text includes the step-by-step process for manufacturing the candy. Did you know it used to take 27 hours to make one marshmallow candy by hand? Now it takes 6 minutes with technology.
This reading and writing resource is in PDF, and Google Slides (TM). Perfect for some Easter time Fun.
Thanks for stopping by Happy Hive Homeschooling for history and ideas for celebrating the Easter Triduum
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