I've been on the hunt for a meaningful (and simple) way to celebrate Advent with the boys this year ... a tool to help focus our hearts on the Lord as we prepare for the coming of Jesus on Christmas. After doing some research online, I discovered the tradition of the Jesse Tree, which is a family tree of Jesus - counting down different Old Testament forerunners to our Lord.
While I found some pretty in-depth Jesse tree patterns and ideas to do this in an elaborately crafty way online, I couldn't find one I liked that I could just buy. What I ended up settling on is a far simpler version with daily devotions and accompanying pictures. We have been doing one reading a night and letting the boys cut out and color their own "ornaments" to glue on the "tree" we posted on the side of the fridge. So far, its been a lovely (and simple) way to remember the Lord this Advent. You know how these boys love to color! I've found that this adaptation has been on a scale that I can actually manage in this season where I am operating a little short of full capacity.
Jared and his tree.
Will's tree.
The Jesse Tree tradition is based on this prophetic scripture about Jesus:
11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
(Isaiah 11:1-2)
2 comments:
Our class made each of those ornaments to take home last year.....they were precious - and we kept one set for our classroom Christmas tree! Love it!!! It is such a meaningful tradition!!!
So cool! This is the first I've heard of it - way better than the chocolate countdown!
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