Our Jesse Tree

Last night, we lit our first advent candle (see the post here) and hung an ornament on our Jesse tree.  This is the first year we have done a Jesse tree, but I did them every year when I was in school and I LOVED it.  A Jesse Tree is a really fun and easy way to learn about the story of Jesus' lineage all the way through the Old Testament through to His birth.  The name Jesse tree come from Isaiah 11:1, A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 

Our Jesse tree.

We made our tree out of sticks from out yard held together with an elastic, put in a jar filled with river rocks.  I made our ornaments out of  wooden disks, a bead, and some twine. Some other Jesse trees I have seen are made out of felt, paper, or even a Christmas tree.  Here are several that I really liked: wooden Jesse tree, felt Jesse tree, Christmas Tree Jesse tree.

Each night, we read a story from the kids toddler bible and hang an ornament on the tree that corresponds to what we just read.  Then we sing a song and close in prayer.  Pretty simple and it takes less then five minutes.  We are following ebook "How to Celebrate Advent with a Jesse Tree" by Tara Ziegmont at Feels Like Home Blog.  It is wonderful.  It is well suited for young children, very straight forward, and its free.  Several other great resources include: The Jesse Tree resources found on RCA's site here.  They have a devotional series as well a really nice ornament printable, these are the ones I used. I really liked Ann Voskamp's (A Holy Experience) Jesse Advent devotional, this devotional is suited for an older audience, Finally, the book The Jesse Tree by Geraldine Mccaughrean.  I've ordered it but I'm still waiting.  This is a story about the Jesse tree.

  

Our first ornament, the earth (Creation)

To say that kids enjoyed it would be an understatent.  Bith Ethan and Hannah took a turn hanging the ornament and listened well.  They bounced during the song we sang.  It wonderful to sit together as a family, to reflect during this season on Advent, and to draw our hearts closer to God.