Now that Halloween is over it seems like from a merchandising standpoint, it's time for Christmas. What I noticed most in my shopping travels this week were all the different Advent Calendars they now have out. Advent Calendars have gone to the next level. No longer is there just a little chocolate behind that little door. They now have jewelry, cheese and hot wheel cars to count down each day before Christmas in these Advent Calendars. Regardless of the merchandising of all this advent anticipation it will soon be here. (Three weeks away.) So, I thought this was a good time to talk about something new that you may want to try this year for your family's advent season. That new advent something is a Jesse Tree.
You may have heard of a Jesse Tree. It has mainly been a Catholic Advent tradition. But over the years many faiths have adopted it. Long ago, records were kept in front of a family bible. Families would write their history such as dates of marriages, children born and a family member's passing. As generations passed the lines spread outwards, like branches and twigs growing off a tree trunk. This family history record is called a family tree. The Jesse Tree is a very old Christmas tradition from medieval times, created to show Jesus's family tree. Pictures or symbols are placed on a tree to help tell the story of the Bible from Creation to Christ's birth. The term Jesse Tree comes from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots..." Isaiah 2:1 Isaiah prophesies the birth of Jesus. He's telling the people that one day a great ruler will come from the descendants of King David. Jesse was King David's Father. In recent times, bible stories from "Jesus's Family Tree" are told and symbols are placed on a small tree prior to the Christmas Day. It is something that can take 5-10 minutes to do with your family each day. But it allows you all to have a moment together to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. The reason I thought of it for this week is because it gives you enough time to look over everything and begin to get it ready. I have added an animated video that covers the Jesse Tree entitled From Adam to Jesus I also included a video from the Jesse Tree Project entitled What is the Jesse Tree? I have also attached a little starter kit. It includes a set of symbol ornaments plus other sheets that count down the day with which bible story and activity ideas. If you prefer, I know Etsy, Amazon and some online Catholic shops sell symbol ornaments and books on the Jesse Tree you can buy very reasonably. It is a little thing that may just become a big part your family's Christmas Traditions. Hope you all have a great week and find some of God's Blessings along the way.
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