Resurrection Rolls

We’ve done Empty Tomb Paper Crafts, Empty Tomb Egg Pails, and the Easter Garden so far this Easter to teach our Happy Homes about the wonder of the empty tomb.

But today I want to share with you my all-time favorite way to share in the joy of Jesus’ resurrection.

Resurrection Rolls!

A Happy Home Friend of mine invited the Happy Buddy and me over one day last week for a play date.  I asked her if I could make Resurrection Rolls with her two Happy Buddies.  She agreed AND she took pictures of the whole process using her super amazing nice camera of the universe!  I feel so spoiled having such lovely photographs on this little blog!

What you will need to make Resurrection Rolls:

• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 8 large marshmallows
• Melted butter
• A mixture of cinnamon and sugar

Directions:

Before beginning, you may want to read through John 19 with your Happy Buddies and gently explain what happened before Jesus died.

Hold up a white marshmallow and tell your Happy Buddies that it represents Jesus – pure white, perfect, without sin.Dip the marshmallows in melted butter and explain that it represents the water, or anointing oils, that was used to clean Jesus’ body.

*Note – Many recipes for Resurrection Rolls say that the butter symbolizes embalming oils, but I did a little research and I learned that Jews did not embalm the bodies of their dead.  Rather, they allowed the bodies to “return to the earth.”  They did, however, clean the body with water or anoint with oil before continuing with the rest of the steps you’ll read below.*Next, dip the marshmallows in the mixture of cinnamon and sugar.  This represents the herbs and spices used to anoint Jesus’ body.

*Note – In the Bible days, given the climate of the Holy Land, bodily decay would begin quite rapidly, so the aromatic herbs and spices would help cover the smells associated with decay.  But little did they know that Jesus wasn’t going to be there long enough to need all those spices!!! :-)*

The spices may also represent how Jesus’ death on the cross was a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.  Ephesians 5:2 says, “…and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

So far, these Resurrection Rolls are delicious!

Take the marshmallow and wrap the crescent dough around it.  Make sure you pinch all of the edges closed.  This represents the strips of linen used to wrap Jesus’ body.Brush the Resurrection Rolls with a little more butter, if desired.Place Resurrection Rolls in the tomb (oven) 🙂 and bake according to package directions.

While the rolls are baking, read John 20:1-18.

Let the rolls cool for a few minutes when they come out of the oven.  Sit and ponder what you might discover inside!Carefully open the Resurrection Roll.What to my wondering eyes should appear?????It’s empty inside!  Jesus is not there!  He has risen!!!!!!!

When baked, the marshmallow melts away leaving only the puffed crescent roll.  This represents how Jesus rose from the dead and all that was left in his tomb were the linen wrappings.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!!” Matthew 28:6

Eat your Resurrection Rolls and marvel at the greatness of our God and this glorious Easter reminder!

Happy Resurrection Roll-ing! 🙂

*There is also a Resurrection Cookie!  Go HERE for the recipe!