Our Advent Calendar & Jesse Tree
December 1st, 2009
This year I intend on teaching my children about God’s promise and His faithfulness by using a service oriented advent calendar and a Jesse tree.
Most advent calendar’s that I am aware of do nothing more than count down the days to Christmas while enjoying a treat of some sort. I want something more then that.
Our advent calendar is a countdown to the birth of Christ by giving to Him what He desires.
Check it out at (in)courage today! (An idea for each day!)
Sarah,
We put up our Jesse Tree tonight. We use the Christmas Tree and purple lights (thanks Target). For the past two years we have been part of a Jesse Tree ornament exchange. Make 15/20 of the same ornament and have your friends do the same and then everyone gets a full set. On the 3rd Sunday of Sunday of Advent (Gaudate Sunday) — the Joyful one, we change the tree decorations to Christmas but continue to add our Jesse Tree ornaments. No Christmas music until 3rd Sunday and no Santa Claus. We do celebrate the Feast of St. Nicholas with stockings (December 6) but in commemoration. We also have a sacrafice/giving jar that the kids daily choose something to do. Also we do letters to Jesus for Christmas asking for spiritual gifts. One more, a manger for Jesus under the tree, the kids add a piece of straw for every good deed they do (and take one away for the not so good) then on Christmas night the youngest puts “baby Jesus” in the manger. Just thought I would share. Thanks for the great ideas.
I was just thinking about an advent calender and doing a bible study up to Christmas. Now I know how we’ll be able to do both.
I love your advent calender idea and will be using it in our home. Much better than just counting down the days.
We’ve never done a Jesse Tree before but I love your simple tree – so we’ll be starting a new tradition this year.
Look for a post soon in my blog – I’ll show pictures of our home interwoven with some great new ideas you have given us.
Thank you!
Haven’t ever heard of the Jesse tree. Will have to look into that. When we moved we also had to change churches, now attending Baptist and each Sunday they read about Advent and light a candle.
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Well, I really wanted to do a Jesse tree this year, but it just didn’t happen. My reminders to get ready for Christmas started in September, but it didn’t happen. My tassels have kept me so busy I can’t think of anything else, even my table at our Women’s Christmas party that I normally obsess over starting in January. Starting a business is a wonderful thing, but for someone as unorganized as I am, well, let’s just hope next year I have my act together!
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[...] last, but definitely not least, leave it to Sarah Mae from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee to have an advent calendar that puts the focus squarely where it belongs…on the birth of [...]
Love it! Advent is always our most special celebration in December. Check out our ABC Advent that we have celebrated for 7 years. We are currently posting letter B – Baby Born in Bethlehem for next Sunday night!
Blessings,
Stacey
Love it over here!
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Thanks for the links for the ornaments Sarah Mae! I had been searching for them. We have never done the Jesse Tree before, and I am really looking forward to focusing on Jesus this Christmas!
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[...] Another idea for an Advent Calendar by clicking here. [...]