Sometimes I forget what Christmas is all about.
Between deciding where we're going on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,
what the kids will wear, what I have to cook, what present I have to get and for who, etc. etc.
it's hard to keep in mind that we're celebrating Jesus' birthday.
This year, my friend Anna, who should have a blog but doesn't,
organized a Jesse Tree Ornament Exchange.
When she started getting the group together way back in August, I was excited to participate
because it would be something fun to do with Jake during the Advent Season.
After thinking about it more, though, I realized that it might prove to be even more fruitful for me.
I'm excited to use the Jesse tree to bring a focus on the true meaning of Christmas this year
for both my family and myself.
What is the Jesse Tree?
(I admittedly had to do some research)
The Jesse Tree is made up of 24 ornaments,
each representing part of the story of Christmas.
Jesse was the father of King David of the Old Testament.
He is considered the first person in the genealogy of Jesus.
The tree is meant to help Christians prepare for Jesus as we are supposed to during Advent.
I like this explanation from Ann Voskamp and Nancy Rodden's devotional book
The Ornament Exchange
Anna hosted a brunch last Sunday for all of the ladies
who made ornaments to come, chat, and exchange.
Just in time since Advent starts THIS Saturday (12.1.12)
It was an absolutely lovely time and so nice to see everyone's creativity.
I'm posting pictures of all the ornaments below
(...and what days they are for... and what they represent)
because they all turned out pretty great.
How the Ornaments Are Used
On the first day of Advent we'll start reading this book and hanging each ornament on a representation of the tree or an actual Christmas tree itself if it is already up.
The book is directed at children and adults separately so the whole family is included!
You can read more about the Jesse Tree here
If you don't have time to put together 24 handmade ornaments in 2 days (gasp!)
the devotional book I linked to above is printable for free and seems like a good alternative.
Day 1
|
The Light in
Creation
|
a globe or picture
of the Earth
|
Day 2
|
The First Sin
|
an apple and a snake
wrapped around it
|
Day 3
|
Inside the
|
an ark with a rainbow
|
Day 4
|
The Call to Abram
|
a camel and a tent
|
Day 5
|
Issac and the Lamb
|
a lamb
|
Day 6
|
Jacob's ladder
|
a ladder
|
Day 7
|
Joseph's Coat of
Many Colors
|
a colorful coat
|
Day 8
|
Moses and the 10
Commandments
|
a tablet with numbers
|
Day 9
|
a cluster of grapes
|
|
Day 10
|
Ruth and Boaz
|
a sheaf of wheat
|
Day 11
|
King David
|
a slingshot
|
Day 12
|
Josiah Finds the Law
|
a scroll or Bible
|
Day 13
|
Prophecy of Shoot
from the Stump of Jesse
|
a stump with fresh
shoot or leaf
|
Day 14
|
Prophecy of the Lion
and the Lamb Resting Together
|
lion and lamb
|
Day 15
|
Prophecy of the
Prince of Peace
|
a dove and crown
|
Day 16
|
Prophecy of a Gentle
Shepherd
|
a lamb and a staff
|
Day 17
|
Prophecy of the
Suffering Servant
|
a cross
|
Day 18
|
Prophecy of the New
Covenant
|
a heart with writing
on it
|
Day 19
|
Prophecy of
Bethlehem
|
town silhouette with
star
|
Day 20
|
The Exile
|
a fiery furnace
|
Day 21
|
The Return to the
Land
|
a brick wall
|
Day 22
|
The Star
|
a star
|
Day 23
|
The Light of the
World
|
a candle or light
|
Day 24
|
Angels Proclaiming
the Coming of Christ
|
an angel
|
Happy Advent!
8 comments:
How beautiful! I love the whole idea of this! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Pretty much in love with this idea!!!!!!
Happy Advent to you, too! My family also celebrates with a Jesse Tree. We use a felt set...some with beads and sequins. A Jesse Tree is a wonderful way to keep Christ the center of family Christmas celebrations.
Deborah
See my Jesse Tree Ornaments here: http://etsy.me/PaZE1t
Oh, wow! You have some seriously talented friends!!! I loved looking at each ornament!! My husband and I looked everywhere for a biblical advent calendar that we could use each year and perhaps pass down to our children one day but couldn't find one out there, so we made our own - a Jesse Tree! Now I sell the DIY kits and my pattern in my Etsy shop. Here's the link in case any of your readers are inspired by your post and become interested in making their own treasured family heirloom: https://www.etsy.com/listing/100647233/jesse-tree-diy-kit-ready-to-ship
Love this idea, Esther! What a great way to celebrate the season. It definitely takes the advent calendar up a notch!
I love our Jesse tree, and this idea is truly amazing, the handmade ornaments are just beautiful!!!
So wish I would have seen this early enough to organize a swap like this! Thanks for sharing close ups of each ornament!Loved this so much I shared it as part of my 5 Days of Advent: Jesse Tree post on something2offer.com
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