About 4 or 5 years ago, we added a Jesse Tree to our Advent celebration. With devotions, and ornaments added to the Jesse Tree daily, this is a great way to involve the kids in the events and history leading up to Christs birth. This is the book we use:
The Advent Jesse Tree
gives the book owner permission to copy and use the illustrations in the book on their tree. They also have a list of ornaments that you need to go along with the devotions in the book. You can look around your house and through the ornaments you already own to find some to use. So no need to go out and buy a lot of ornaments. You also don't need a special tree. If you have woods nearby, you can find a little tree to use. Some people like to use a long branch hung on the wall to hang the ornaments on. There are lots of frugal options available.
gives the book owner permission to copy and use the illustrations in the book on their tree. They also have a list of ornaments that you need to go along with the devotions in the book. You can look around your house and through the ornaments you already own to find some to use. So no need to go out and buy a lot of ornaments. You also don't need a special tree. If you have woods nearby, you can find a little tree to use. Some people like to use a long branch hung on the wall to hang the ornaments on. There are lots of frugal options available. |
| Our Advent Jesse Tree in the dining room |
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| All the ornaments waiting....I love the giant toy grapes and the stuffed camel.... |
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| Drawings from book we colored, David's sling shot I made |
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| Beaded Angel made by my husbands Aunt, wheat that grew in our garden, a scroll made with toothpicks |
In our celebration of Advent, we also light the candles on our Advent Wreath.
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| Our Advent wreath in the living room |
We have used these three books for our Advent readings since we first started celebrating Advent. The kids love these books. Ok, we adults do, too! Each book is a continuing story that lasts the whole Advent season, with a devotion at the end of each days story.
Jotham's Journey
, Bartholomew's Passage
, Tabitha's Travels
The three kids are in all three books, which helps to make them like old friends. This year, we are reading Tabitha's Travels. In several parts of the book, she gets to meet up with Jotham & Bartholomew. Our youngest is 10 this year, so I hope we still have a few more years of reading these stories before they think they are too old for them. Hopefully they never do!
We light the days candles and read the story with only the candles and the Christmas lights on. We do this last thing before they kids go to bed.
From the warm family gatherings in the candlelight living room, to the learning about Christ together, Advent has been a great addition to our families Christmas celebration.
Here are some links to help your family get started celebrating Advent.
Advent in Church and Cultural Tradition
Online Advent calender
12 Days of Advent
Advent readings crafts and activities
Free Jesse Tree Advent Devotional Book
For more inspirational posts, visit Spiritual Sunday
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Homemaking Link-up at Raising Homemakers
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