Jesse Tree

Looking for a family Christmas tradition? This is one we started with our family last December and loved it. It is called a Jesse Tree & is THE best advent waiting calendar I have yet to see. This advent calendar starts in Genesis with the story of creation (on December 1st) and goes through the Old Testament until December 25th, when you celebrate the birth of Jesus.

It can be easy to view the birth of Jesus as an isolated story... All the while missing out on the grand story of redemption that God has been writing since creation. For after sin entered in the Garden, God has been wooing the hearts of His children back to Him. We can see this all throughout the Old Testament as God prepares the way for His Son.

Hebrews makes it clear that the endless, daily sacrifices that were offered up could never cleanse the conscience or make perfect. (Hebrews 9:9, 10:1-4, 11-12) But God had a plan... A better plan than the sacrificial system that could finally reconcile a sinful people with a holy God.

Enter Jesus. The spotless Lamb whose blood does cover. Blood that once for all would be sufficient. No more living with guilt. No more condemnation. No more sacrifices in hopes of being "okay" for that day. No more veil to keep us from the Holy of Holies- the very presence of God.

Through the birth, life, death & resurrection of Christ, we now have right standing with God. The story of the babe in the manger is huge. For this is the life that brought us life.

Join us in making a Jesse Tree this December as we anticipate "The Word made flesh who made his dwelling among us." (John 1:14)

Making A Jesse Tree:

1. For each of the 25 Days of Advent, you will make an ornament for your tree. For example, Day One is a SUN for creation, Day Two is a MAN for Adam, Day Three an APPLE.... You can be as creative as you want with your ornaments. We've added googley eyes to our animals & people- just for a fun extra effect the kids enjoy. Make your ornaments as basic or elaborate as you'd like them to be.

2. Starting on December 1st, read the scriptures for that day. (included at bottom of blog post)Then the first ornament is hung on the tree. By Christmas Day you will have completed the Jesse Tree & will have a tree full of ornaments that tell the redemptive story of God's pursuit of man... Beginning with creation in the garden all the way through the birth of the One- the tiny babe- who would come to reconcile us & give us right standing with a Holy God.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1: 14

Scriptures for Jesse Tree: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc86hr5f_9hfvpnkcq&btr=EmailImport

For information on the history of the Jesse Tree: http://www.cresourcei.org/jesse.html