The Easter Story for Young Listeners

Plans to kill Jesus, betrayal, court, jail, beatings, denial, suicide, crucifixion...not alot of G-rated material here. I'm not saying it's irrelevant but thinking preschool experience.

Supper, praying when you're just too tired, burying someone beloved or a pet who dies - more the experiences that very young folk relate to.

Here's my try at the Easter story for a very young crowd. c. 250 words. This version is from Matthew.

Jesus died on a big wooden cross on a hill. But God had a secret plan.

Joseph was Jesus' friend. He asked if he could bury Jesus' body before the Sabbath in his own special burying place. Soldiers pulled a great big stone over the door so no one could steal Jesus' body and pretend that He was alive. They stood guard.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were Jesus' good friends, too. Early in the morning on the first day of the week the two Mary's got up. They went to the place where Jesus was buried.

Suddenly, everything shook. It was an earthquake! An angel came down from heaven. He pushed the big stone away from the door and sat on it. His body shone like lightening. His clothes were white as snow. The soldiers saw it too. They were so afraid that they began to shake.

"Don't be afraid," the angel said to the two Mary's. I know you're looking for Jesus who was killed on the cross. He's not here! He's alive! He's risen just like He promised. See? Go quickly! Tell His disciples! Tell them He's risen from the dead. He's going ahead of you into Galilee. You'll see him there."

Mary and Mary hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid but they were SO happy!

As they were running to tell the disciples, "Greetings!" someone said to them. It was Jesus! He really was alive! They fell down, they grabbed His feet, and they worshipped Him.