An Egg-stra Special Easter Part Three: Plus Recipe for Sicilian Easter Ring

All Things Become New - On Our Face

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

My friend Tia’s getting married tomorrow, and you can tell with one look at her face that she’s in love. She is radiant. She is ready to spend the rest of her life loving Tim, in good times and bad. They have taken their time getting to know each other and will be joined tomorrow by God’s own hand. I am confident she will be a beautiful bride and a beautiful wife.

It shows up on our face when we fall in love with Jesus too and commit to be His Bride (which is how men and women of the church are referred to in the Bible). From the day we accept His proposal, our love for Him begins to affect our countenance. Apostle Paul said, “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor. 3:18).

I ran into a girl I knew in junior high a few years ago. In school she was a pretty tough character. I was afraid of her, in fact. But when she saw me, her whole face lit up and she came over to say hello. We were barely into the conversation before she shared her big news with me – she had become a Christian. And it showed; her face practically glowed.

How can we help it, when the Lover of our soul is so loving and kind, so strong and caring, so wise and good? He sacrificed everything to give us His joy and peace and release us from the bondage of sin. Anyone who has truly experienced God’s love should have the “look” of one who is passionately in love and confident in the One they have committed to.

The reverse is also true. Isaiah, God’s prophet to Israel, exposed the duplicity of those who thought it was enough to be religious, saying “Their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. The look on their faces testifies against them” (Isa. 3:8-9).
God doesn’t want our religious flirtations, but a deep and personal relationship with us where we give ourselves to Him in total abandonment. When we do, our face will speak volumes.
Who does your face say is the love of your life?

Braided Bread Ring: This is one of my favorite things to make for Easter. It’s a deliciously sweet bread ring inset with colored eggs.

Sicilian Easter Ring (Sunset Italian Cookbook)

1 package active dry yeast

¼ c warm water (about 110°)

2/3 c warm milk (about 110°)

2 T butter, softened

1/3 c sugar

3 ¾ to 4 c all-purpose flour

½ t cinnamon

½ t vanilla

2 eggs

5 hard-boiled eggs, colored

1 egg yolk beaten with 1 t water

• In a large bowl sprinkle yeast over warm water and let stand 5 minutes. (If using a bread machine, put first 9 ingredients in to mix and skip to step 6)
• Stir in milk, butter, sugar, and salt until butter melts
• Add 2 c flour; mix to blend. Beat until dough is elastic (about 5 minutes). Beat in cinnamon, vanilla, and eggs.
• Stir in about 1 ½ c more flour to make a soft dough and knead on floured surface until dough is smooth and springy (15-20 minutes). 
• Place in a greased bowl; turn dough to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 ½ hours).
• Punch dough down and turn onto floured surface and knead lightly to release air. Divide into three equal portions.
• Roll into strips 25 inches long. Braid loosely on large greased sheet. Curve braid to make a circle, pinching ends tightly to seal.
• At evenly spaced intervals, gently separate braid strands and press in colored eggs (pointed ends down).
• Cover lightly and let rise until very puff (40-45 minutes).
• Brush bread lightly with egg yolk mixture. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes (until richly browned and sounds hollow when tapped).
• Let cool at least 15 minutes on wire rack before slicing; serve warm or cool. Makes one round braid.