Many are wondering how to celebrate Easter this year, as most of us are confined to our homes. Here’s a way to observe Christ’s death and resurrection in a simple, yet meaningful celebration. It’s enjoyed by adults and children alike. Each aspect of this celebration is meaningful, pointing directly to Christ. I’ll provide a summary in this post, but see the bottom of the page for in-depth details.

To summarize, a “Jesus candle” is lit on Good Friday at 9:00am, and selections from the Gospel of Mark are read periodically. At 3:00pm, the candle is extinguished. Before sundown the candle is taken down from its candle holder, wrapped in cloth, and placed in a tomb, such as a shoebox or homemade creation. The house lights stay off from Friday night through Sunday morning. We even tape down the light switches to keep from accidently turning them on.

Friday and Saturday evenings are spent using flashlights or candles for light. One quickly realizes how much light is taken for granted. It is a powerful reminder of how salvation and its benefits can be taken for granted. Sunday morning dawns with the use of light and an empty tomb, as the candle is hidden for someone to discover. The Jesus candle then pops up in random places over the next 40 days, just as Jesus appeared to many of His followers.

This new tradition has breathed life into our celebration of Easter. It has also provided some unexpected insights. Before this experience I had never fully considered the timeframe of the crucifixion and resurrection. The biblical account only takes a few minutes to read. It’s rather grounding to go about my day and periodically see the candle still burning. This realization has resulted in a deeper personal appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice.

I also didn’t expect experiencing two nights in darkness to be so revealing. Honestly, the first night is somewhat a novelty. It’s like camping in your own house. My boys have great fun with this. The second night, however, is inconvenient and somewhat irritating. I miss turning on a light and realize my limitations without it. I’ve come to realize that I take the light for granted. Each time I reach for a light switch, it is a reminder of how lost I am without Christ and how I take Him for granted. As I fumble through my closet, I realize I fumble through life without His light in my life. Darkness hinders and slows us. When we realize we are in the dark, we long for light and the freedom it provides.

Last but not least, I have celebrated the morning of Resurrection Sunday with more joy. I love the anticipation and excitement of searching for the candle, but perhaps the most meaningful and satisfying activity is removing tape from the light switches. It feels like breaking the chains of darkness. It reminds me of Psalm 107:14, “He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.”

Of course, there isn’t much need for the house lights on Sunday morning as there is daylight. As Revelation 22:5 states, “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” This reminds me that Resurrection Sunday is, in fact, a celebration of the past and future. Christ’s resurrection broke the power of sin and death, but the resurrection is not the end of the story. Christ arose in order to one day raise each of us to glory with Him. Then it will be said, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3b-4

May this Easter celebration bring you joy and hope in the midst of uncertainty. Allow the work and fulfilled promises of God to provide rest and peace for your heart and mind. Our God is victorious!

Readings for Passion Week:
Monday – Mark 11:12-26
Tuesday – Mark 11:27-12:12
Wednesday – Mark 14:1-11
Thursday – Mark 14:12-26
Friday – Mark 15
Saturday – Matthew 24:36-25:13
Sunday – Mark 16; Revelation 21:1-22:7

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
Revelation 22:21

The Jesus Candle Celebration

Items needed:
– One candle (preferably a taper candle) and candle holder
– A cloth – a washcloth or dishcloth works well
– A tomb – a container for the burnt candle. It could be a shoebox or a creation made from LEGOs or clay. It must have a lid or covering.
– String or tape for “sealing” the tomb
– Flashlights

Optional items:
– extra candles (electric or wicked)
– special nightlight
– prize(s)

Activities:

If you have children in your household, involve them as much as possible. Include them in gathering or creating the necessary items. Involve them in the actions and reading.

9:00am Friday – Place the taper candle in its holder and light it while reading Mark 15:25-26 (or longer option: verses 22-32).

*Additional idea – include two taper candles, one on each side to represent the thieves.

*12:00 noon Friday – Gather at the candle and read Mark 15:33.

*Additional idea – close window blind or shade until 3:00 to replicate the darkness.

3:00pm Friday – Gather at the candle and read Mark 15:34-37. Blow out the candle when “Jesus breathed his last” is read.

15-30 minutes before sundown – Gather at the candle and read Mark 15:42-47. During the reading, take down the candle, wrap it in the cloth, and place it in the tomb. Then “seal” the tomb by tying it with string or taping closed. Make sure all lights are off and hand out flashlights.

*Additional ideas
– Make a tomb from clay, LEGOs, or other materials beforehand.
– Cut a 1” wide strip of cloth from an old shirt or obtain some linen scrap to make strips.
– An hour or 45 minutes before sundown, gather and share miracles or special Jesus moments that brought light into the world (just a sentence or so for each is fine). With each thought, turn on a light. Repeat, taking turns, until all house lights are on. Then recall the details of Christ’s trial and crucifixion (they do not need to be in order). Turn off a light with each detail until only the light at the candle remains on. Then go to the candle and prepare it, turning off the last light once the Scripture is read and the tomb is sealed.
– Tape the light switches down as they are turned off. It’s habit to flip them on without thinking. Taping them down keeps them from being turned on unintentionally. It’s also satisfying to take the tape off Sunday morning.
– Scared of the dark? Use this as a special teaching time. Get a special nightlight or keep a certain light(s) on that is not typically on. Talk about how God is always with us, even when it is dark. We can’t see Him, but we know He is there. The disciples were scared too, but God took care of them. He doesn’t want us to be afraid. He has given us His Holy Spirit to be with us always.

Friday night and Saturday night – use flashlights or candles for lighting in the evenings. Try to do most activities in daylight and use the evenings for family time.

Saturday late night or early Sunday morning – One person secretly opens the tomb and places the candle somewhere in the house.

Sunday morning – Gather at the tomb and read Mark 16:1-7. Discover that the tomb is empty! Find the candle!

*Additional ideas
– First one to find the candle gets a prize.
– The one who finds the candle can place it in another location to be discovered.
– Remove tape from light switches!

Do you have ideas, adaptations, or modifications? I’d love to hear them! Let me know if you tried it out and how it went. Simply leave a comment or contact me through the Contact Me page.