By Susan Ciancio
Easter is just a week and a half away. It’s hard to believe that Lent has gone so quickly. Soon we will not only weep at the foot of the cross but rejoice at the Resurrection.
Jesus became man to give us eternal life. Through His death, we have been redeemed, and we can make the choice to live our lives in service to Him and to the Church, thus allowing us to spend eternity with Him, or we can choose not God. And in that case, when we die, we get “not God,” as Father Mike Schmitz says. And that is hell. Literally and figuratively.
If we want to give our children the chance to choose God, we must take every opportunity we have to build a culture of life at home, to teach them the faith, and to help them understand the value of all human beings.
As we enter into spring and approach Easter, with life bursting forth around us, and as we contemplate the life of Christ, it is only fitting that we include some gifts in our children’s Easter baskets that will remind them of the sanctity of life. Below are 10 ideas of small gifts you can include along with sweet treats that will help your children not only see but begin to internalize the beauty of every human being. So have fun with the Easter basket and enjoy the candy, but use these ways to draw in the teachings of the Church that Christ founded.
1. Miracle of Life Coloring & Activity Book
Packed with puzzles and information to help children ages three and older understand the beauty and sacredness of preborn life and the necessity to defend it, this 50-plus-page coloring book contains the ABCs of Life, mazes, dot-to-dot, and more. You can order it from the Culture of Life Studies Program in bulk, or you can download and print it yourself. Either way, this is a fantastic addition to an Easter basket. Pair it with some colored pencils or crayons and you have the recipe for hours of faith-filled fun.
2. Small baby dolls
Young children love caring for and “feeding” dolls. They are a great way to teach the beauty of babies and can foster lots of great conversations.
3. Fetal models
These fetal models of an 11-12-week-old preborn baby are a beautiful way to illustrate the humanity of the preborn and to teach the science of a developing baby. Small children love them because they can hold them in the palm of their hands. Preteens and teens can use them as tangible evidence that a preborn baby is not just tissue. You can even teach them this prayer for the protection of babies in danger of abortion.
4. Devotional book for kids
A devotional helps kids learn to think about their faith and how their actions impact others. It gives them biblical and saintly models to emulate, and it helps them learn to articulate their beliefs.
5. Pro-life stickers and holy cards
Kids love something they can hold onto or post somewhere in their room that they can see regularly. These faith-filled reminders help them understand that God is always there for them and that they have a responsibility to follow His laws.
6. Gratitude notebook/journal
Find a notebook or journal with a religious image on the front. Then write on the first page “I am thankful for ________” and give it to your children to fill in. Encourage them to do so every day. Or, you can make this a whole family endeavor and leave it somewhere everyone can access it. Have everyone write at least one thing each day.
7. Puzzle with a family or life theme
Kids love puzzles, but what they love more is family time—time where they get their parents’ undivided attention in a low-key way. Puzzles are great for this. Find one with an image of Mary and Baby Jesus or simply a baby or a family and put it together as a family. Talk about the blessings of babies and of families.
8. Small framed picture
Kids love pictures! And you have many choices with this. You can frame a picture of your family, of your child as a baby (or even his sonogram picture!), or a picture of the Holy Family. Talk about how family and babies are gifts. Then help them find a special place for it in their room.
9. Bookmarks
Find a bookmark or two with a life-affirming quote. Encourage your child to use it when he reads. Talk about the quote and encourage your child to memorize it.
10. Pro-life T-shirts
Teach your kids to courageously wear their faith. American Life League has some great shirts for older kids and adults. Team Iron Will has some awesome shirts for all ages. Or simply do an online search for a shirt with a biblical quote about the sanctity of life or a pro-life phrase. Make sure you wear one as well, as this will help your kids grow in courage.
This Easter, as you discuss with your family the eternal life that Christ died to give us, make sure to have conversations about the sanctity of life of all human beings and the fact that it’s our responsibility to care for everyone around us. Building this foundation will help create tomorrow’s pro-life generation, and these lessons will last a lot longer than the candy in their baskets.