We are always trying to bring more Christ into our Easter celebrations and traditions. We enjoy secular traditions like decorating eggs, egg hunts, candy, baskets, and all things spring like bunnies and chicks, but we didn’t and don’t want those to be our main focus and overtake the true meaning of why we celebrate at Easter.
Christ in the Passover
A few years ago I started researching and discussing with my husband the idea of celebrating Passover and how we could go about doing it in a biblical way. We once had an impactful and memorable Good Friday event at our home church which included a Seder dinner. They had all the traditional elements and really dug into the history and symbolism of each one. I read several articles on how a Christian family with kids could celebrate Passover and have a Seder. I came across this pamphlet, Christ In The Passover, and I forwarded the link to my husband to look over and he told me to go ahead and order it. When it came in the mail I was so excited! Right away I could tell it would be really easy to follow, and everything was laid out.
The pamphlet includes the history, symbolism, and a list of elements to include in the Seder, as well as a comparison of the Seder and the Lord’s Supper. As for actually observing the Seder, the pamphlet provides a scrip, and prompts to help you know what is supposed to be said by who and different motions are to be done. There are one or two sections that give opportunity for children to do something or read, but you can certainly modify the script and motions that would involve more children if that is something you’d want. My husband had our older two read scripture and a section from the script and printed the sections out for them to have at their seats.
Preparing the Way to Celebration
In order for us to really focus on the importance of the Seder and the Passover we need to get our home in order so our surroundings are not a distraction in any way. We get all our chores done and get everything in its place. The night before we celebrate the Seder we watch the movie The Prince of Egypt. This movie really helps the kids remember the Bible story and why and where of Passover.
As the mom, I typically take over all the details of the plans leading up and setting up for the Seder. My husband leads the actual Seder and all the readings and motions during it. I make sure we have all the Seder elements prepared.
Boiling eggs the day before, baking the lamb right before we partake, making the Charoset either the day before or morning of (we don’t really eat pecans in our house so I have used pistachios or cashews instead), matzah (which is pretty easy to make but I usually am fine with store bought), I also put a basket of naan on the table but we don’t use it during the Seder but enjoy it after the readings are done, parsley (next year I am considering adding a potato again not apart of the readings but to enjoy after) lettuce, and I make sure each place setting has 4 small cups for the “wine.” We use these stainless steel shot glasses in our house all the time and have enough for everyone to have 4 for the Seder, but you can feel free to use disposable cups if you want. Everyone also needs a small bowl of salt water for dipping (we use glass ones like these).
For the first couple of years that we had a Seder we used disposable plates but this year we purchased these reusable plates that are not only simple and pretty they are dishwasher safe! You need to have candles for the Seder but it doesn’t really matter what kind, shapes, sizes, colors or even how many. We have been using 4 white candles, two taller and two shorter ones. I am considering burning incense next year to add to the atmosphere too.
Additional Foods
In past years we have added other foods to the meal. This year since we ended the Seder rather late for us, so we just enjoyed the elements on the table without extra food. However, there are other traditional items that you can add to the menu just to make it a more substantial meal.
We have had matzo ball soup, we have had Cholent (A Jewish beef stew), couscous salad, another attempted food was potato latkes (we just ran out of time and energy this year). I enjoy looking up traditional and modern Passover recipes to see which ones I can modify to better suit our taste buds and budget.
A Lasting Tradition
Celebrating Passover with a Seder has been something our kids, my husband, and I always look forward to. It has added a more Christ-centered focus to our Easter time celebrations. Although the date of Passover changes on the calendar each year we enjoy celebrating it before Easter and regardless of the calendar date we plan ours within the 2 weeks prior to Easter Sunday.
Would you consider celebrating a Christian Seder with your family? I highly recommend ordering the Pamphlet talked about above and see how you can modify it to work for your family. Share your ideas and plans with us, we love hearing from you!
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