Halloween: Here’s a way to turn that pumpkin into a gospel-teaching tool. First, clean out the pumpkin — that gook represents sin. Next, carve a happy face. That’s to show the joy in a Christian’s life. Last, put a small candle inside, representing the Holy Spirit’s presence and the command for us to be lights of the world.

Thanksgiving: At the first Thanksgiving, corn was part of the celebration. Make it part of yours, too. Take a scoop of popcorn and give each family member about six kernels. Then pass a plate around the table. When the plate comes to each person, he or she drops a kernel onto the plate and tells about one thing he or she is thankful for. Younger kids may want to glue the corn seeds to a paper plate in the shape of a happy face to represent their joy in knowing that God provides.

Christmas: Choose among the many Advent celebrations that are meaningful to your child. Buy an inexpensive, unbreakable nativity scene for little ones so they can play out the Christmas story with the figurines. Older children are ready to discover and absorb the fact that the little Baby in the manger was and is God’s son.

Easter: There’s enough joy in Jesus’ resurrection to keep kids mesmerized for eternity. So forget the bunny, but keep the plastic eggs and fill 12 of them with reminders about the events surrounding the resurrection. Open the eggs one a day starting 12 days before Easter Sunday and talk about the contents of the egg and a corresponding Bible passage. For younger children, you’ll have to paraphrase and simply the lessons. This set is designed around John’s gospel.

(1) John 12:1-11 — a piece of cotton with perfume on it.

(2) John 12:12-19 — some sort of symbol for a palm branch, strips of green paper will do.

(3) John 12:20-33 — a popcorn kernel or other seed.

(4) John 12:34-36 — a small candle.

(5) John 13:1-17 — a piece of terry cloth towel or a sliver of soap.

(6) John 13:18-30 — a small piece of bread.

(7) John 18:1-11 — an olive.

(8) John 18:12-14, 19-24 — a piece of rope or twine.

(9) John 18:28-40 — a piece of paper with a gold crown drawn on it.

(10) John 19:1-16 — a thorn and a piece of purple cloth.

(11) John 19:17-37 — a cross made out of twigs and twine or thread

(12) John 19:38-42 — strips of white gauze. On Easter Sunday, give you children an empty egg to represent the empty tomb and read them John 20:1-23.