A couple of years ago, after my grandma passed away, I was helping my parents go through her things. I found an envelope marked "Jesse Tree Banner Instructions-1998." I had never heard of a Jesse Tree, but opening the envelop I found that several ladies in the church got together that year (and other years from what I inferred) and made multiple Jesse Trees Kits--ornaments and devotional guides. The pattern for all the ornaments along with devotions were included. I thought it was a fantastic way to walk through the Bible with my daughter as we anticipated the coming birth of Christ.
Well, two years later, I am just now pulling it out. I did some research on what a Jesse Tree really is and why I would want to do it. During my search I found a set of devotions I liked even better than the ones my grandma had.
What is a Jesse Tree?
The Jesse Tree is based on Isaiah 11:1, "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is one way to teach my child the lineage of Christ, starting at the creation of the world until His birth. It also shows how all of God's promises have been fulfilled.
Each day an ornament, corresponding with the devotion (i.e. creation-earth or sun; Joseph-colorful coat; David-slingshot, harp or crown), is placed on a tree or banner (or however you want to display it in your home). The ornaments can be homemade or store bought.
Where can I find the devotions?
I did a google search and found 6-7 without much effort. I found several families who used these devotions put out by the Reformed Church of America. They are very family oriented. They also have patterns for the ornaments free online.
I found these devotions for parents. I skimmed through them and really like them! It is an in depth devotional for the parents that corresponds with kids/family devotion. The parent devos are online free right now. (They are also a way for me to get my heart into Christmas-like Alicia mentioned yesterday.) The family devos are sold here. I will say I do not like the last few days and therefore will tweak them to what I feel is important for our family.
Finally, I found this blog. I like that this mom took her daily plan and included readings from The Beginner's Bible and The Big Picture Story Bible.
What if I don't want to spend money and I want to do it this year? Is it too late?
It's definitely not too late. As I mentioned earlier, you can make your own ornaments (using felt) or cut out these coloring pages and punch holes and hang with yarn. Since I got such a late start, we are going the coloring pages route this year. Plus, my daughter LOVES to color. Hobby Lobby has their ornaments on sale this week for 50% off, so I may head over there and pick up a few that will meet our needs and then hit up some other stores after Christmas. And over the course of the next year I may find/make all that we need. (At least that is the plan.)
When I began reading the Parent's Devotional this jumped off the page:
When the resurrected Jesus met discouraged disciples who had not yet learned of the resurrection, he encouraged them with a lesson in christological interpretation of the Old Testament:
"Then Jesus said to them, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?" Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself...Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem; 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.'" (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47)
The Old Testament pointed forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ. And failure to read it that way is a failure that Jesus even calls "foolish" and a failure of faith (v. 24). We definitely want to teach the faith to our children, and we believe we can do that from all the scripture.
Well, two years later, I am just now pulling it out. I did some research on what a Jesse Tree really is and why I would want to do it. During my search I found a set of devotions I liked even better than the ones my grandma had.
What is a Jesse Tree?
The Jesse Tree is based on Isaiah 11:1, "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is one way to teach my child the lineage of Christ, starting at the creation of the world until His birth. It also shows how all of God's promises have been fulfilled.
Each day an ornament, corresponding with the devotion (i.e. creation-earth or sun; Joseph-colorful coat; David-slingshot, harp or crown), is placed on a tree or banner (or however you want to display it in your home). The ornaments can be homemade or store bought.
Where can I find the devotions?
I did a google search and found 6-7 without much effort. I found several families who used these devotions put out by the Reformed Church of America. They are very family oriented. They also have patterns for the ornaments free online.
I found these devotions for parents. I skimmed through them and really like them! It is an in depth devotional for the parents that corresponds with kids/family devotion. The parent devos are online free right now. (They are also a way for me to get my heart into Christmas-like Alicia mentioned yesterday.) The family devos are sold here. I will say I do not like the last few days and therefore will tweak them to what I feel is important for our family.
Finally, I found this blog. I like that this mom took her daily plan and included readings from The Beginner's Bible and The Big Picture Story Bible.
What if I don't want to spend money and I want to do it this year? Is it too late?
It's definitely not too late. As I mentioned earlier, you can make your own ornaments (using felt) or cut out these coloring pages and punch holes and hang with yarn. Since I got such a late start, we are going the coloring pages route this year. Plus, my daughter LOVES to color. Hobby Lobby has their ornaments on sale this week for 50% off, so I may head over there and pick up a few that will meet our needs and then hit up some other stores after Christmas. And over the course of the next year I may find/make all that we need. (At least that is the plan.)When I began reading the Parent's Devotional this jumped off the page:
When the resurrected Jesus met discouraged disciples who had not yet learned of the resurrection, he encouraged them with a lesson in christological interpretation of the Old Testament:
"Then Jesus said to them, "You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?" Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself...Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem; 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.'" (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47)
The Old Testament pointed forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ. And failure to read it that way is a failure that Jesus even calls "foolish" and a failure of faith (v. 24). We definitely want to teach the faith to our children, and we believe we can do that from all the scripture.
Powerful words! Is a Jesse Tree the only way to do this? Of course not. But this year my family is planning to use this method to celebrate the coming of the Christ child.
We started our Jesse Tree tradition last year. You can see our tree at my holiday blog: http://www.2008jessetree.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteMy kids love it and it keeps us in the right mind set for the whole day for 25 days. He is coming!
Very cool!
ReplyDelete