Easter Crafts--Crown of Thorns and Tomb

Hey! I (Caroline) was given the task of making the Crown of Thorns today, and getting all our Holy Week...thingys out. Our Crown of Thorns is a braided piece of dough, baked, covered in red food coloring(serves as blood) and has toothpicks sticking out all over it (they're good enough for thorns.) That's what it looks like.
During the Week, we make special sacrifices and
small mortifications, to unite ourselves for Jesus's
utter sacrifice that is approaching on Good Friday. Each time we do, we get to take a thorn/toothpick out of the crown. It's a special way to remind ourselves that our sacrifices make God a little happier, no matter how small they are. :D

So anyway, we thought you might like the recipe for the Crown of Thorns. Here you go!

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups of water
4 cups of flour (or whatever makes the dough stiff enough.)
1/2 cup of salt.

Directions:
Mix the ingredients until a stiff dough forms. Take the dough out of the bowl and place it on a floured surface. Roll it into three long strips (we always called them snakes) and braid. Place on a cookie sheet, and make into a circle. Push in tooth picks, and have an adult pour red food coloring onto the product. Put into the oven until firm. (DO NOT EAT!!! IT TASTES REALLY BAD!!! Not that I'd know from experience. ;))




Another special tradition we follow at Holy Week is setting out our tomb. Mom made it a long time ago (In a galaxy far far away...) out of some kind of rock glue and pebbles. When Good Friday comes, we take a little crucifix (an image of Christ on the Cross), wrap it in a little white blanket, and place it inside, 'rolling the stone in place'.

Then, on Easter, we roll the stone away from the door (Reading the appropriate scripture verse at the same time)

and try to find the crucifix. 'Somehow' it's always managed to disappear. Why? Well, of course it's because Jesus is risen from the dead! (;))

Mom (Lucy) here: You can easily make your own tomb by cutting a Quaker Oats cylinder box in half lengthwise (from top to bottom). Then collect some small rocks and glue them on, randomly, with a glue gun. Then smear plaster a' Paris over the whole thing, allowing the small rocks to show through. Finally, place a large rock in front to cover the opening. On Easter Morning, not only is the "stone rolled away", but there is a beautiful display of Jelly Beans all around the tomb! :)