God made the world and all the things in it to get along and help each other for a good life.
After awhile, people seemed to be having problems, so God sent his son, Jesus, as a man to help them find ways to have better lives. Jesus was born as a human baby, we celebrate his birthday as Christmas.
Because God said he would send help, people had been looking for it as things got worse for them. Because Jesus grew up as a little boy and became a man, he understood how it is with each person. When he got old enough (33 years old) he went around the country where he was born and talked to whoever would listen, giving them ways to get along and help each other more. He said that if you loved and treated those around you as you would like, every one would be able to get along better.
Some of the people didn't like this because even though they weren't happy with their own selfishness and desires for more, they didn't want to change. As more and more people listened to Jesus and began to live as he advised, the selfish ones began to hate him. They finally killed him by hanging him on a wooden cross.
Jesus had told his friends close to him that they should go teach every one they could about loving as a way to live good lives together. He also told them that as he was going to leave them to return to his father, God, he would rise from the tomb to prove who he really was and to remain with them for awhile, teaching them more.
We celebrate this return to life at Easter time. The Spring, when trees get new leaves and flowers and grass and flowers bloom, comes each year to remind us of the things he taught. All the little new things, like chicks growing from eggs and baby bunnies, remind us too.
Jesus especially loved children and is glad for them to celebrate and remember what he said about loving. All the baby and cuddly things are easy to love, but he means us to remember about loving people especially when they may not be so lovable, just as each of us hopes those around understand and love us even when we aren't at our best.
The best part about this story is that God promised that Jesus still wants us to help us find good ways to live and grow and will put ideas and feelings inside us when we need them to help when we ask him and are quiet so we recognize them.
Now when you see Christmas and Easter celebrations around, I hope you will remember what they are for.
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